SEPANG: Malaysia Airlines Bhd is expected to end the year with three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with another two arriving next week.
Malaysia Airlines' parent Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said the national carrier would be receiving another six B737 MAX 8 aircraft in 2024.
"We're getting another three (B737 MAX 8) this year and contractual is six (aircraft) next year," he said after the launch of MAG's first B737 MAX 8 aircraft at Hangar 5, MAB Engineering Complex here today.
The event was officiated by Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Malaysia Aviation Commission (Mavcom) chief operating officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin and MAG chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.
The introduction of the B737 MAX 8 marks the beginning of the gradual expansion of MAG's narrowbody fleet. MAG has an order book of 25 B737 MAX 8 aircraft through its operating lease with Air Lease Corporation.
The aircraft will be delivered progressively through to 2026.
Business Times reported that the first aircraft with registration number 9M-MVA arrived to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on Nov 16 after departing Boeing Co's factory in Seattle, United States on Nov 14 (local date, US date was Nov 13).
The first B737 MAX 8 will be departing to Kota Kinabalu from KLIA Terminal 1 today at 3.40pm.
Loke said the government is supportive towards MAG's long-term investment to secure a modernised fleet to meet its growth requirements and ensuring its commitment to customer experience and connectivity as the flag bearer of Malaysia.
"The fleet modernisation exercise will allow MAG to foster stronger links within its domestic and global routes while providing flexibility and agility to implement future network strategy.
""This aligns perfectly with the Transport Ministry's vision of a strong, interconnected transportation network which is vital for our nation's growth and prosperity," he said.
Loke also said MAG's push towards sustainability across its operations resonates with the ministry's mission for an efficient, integrated, safe, sustainable and user-friendly multimodal transport system.
The B737 MAX 8 aircraft has an improved fuel efficiency of up to 15 per cent and it produces less noise pollution.
Loke commended MAG for laying the groundwork for the usage of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
"In the coming years, the world is moving towards SAF to decouple growth from carbon emission."
"In this respect, we must invest heavily to become the production and distribution hub of SAF in the region," Loke added.