KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines parent Malaysia Aviation Group is all but confident of receiving seven of the 25 Boeing B737 MAX 8 under the first batch order this year.
MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said he hopes that the number of the narrowbody aircraft delivery would not be reduced further.
"We were supposed to receive 12 (narrowbody aircraft) but now it's seven. Will the number drop further? Maybe.
"We hope not, but we have made arrangements to extend (the lease of) some of our current B737-NG (new generation) already," he told Business Times in an interview recently.
Izham added that despite the delay of the new aircraft delivery, Malaysia Airlines' capacity will not be reduced.
MAG had executed its first batch of new aircraft order for Malaysia Airlines as part of the national carrier's fleet renewal programme with 25 B737 MAX 8 in 2017 and 20 A330neo in 2022.
Malaysia Airlines had received four B737 MAX 8 – two in 2023 and another two earlier this year.
The national carrier expects to receive its first A330neo by September this year.
On the upcoming new widebody aircraft, the B777X, he said the airplane's network range is as good as the A350, which Malaysia Airlines has in its fleet.
"Maybe 20 years from now (to purchase the B777X) but today we must be very careful on what airplane we invest in," he added.
The B777X would be the largest commercial widebody aircraft since Airbus had stopped production of its superjumbo A380.
In July, Boeing began certification test flights for its new aircraft type with the US Federal Aviation Administration – a testament that the aircraft was inching closer to receiving green light to begin production and enter passenger service.
The B777X was supposed to enter into service in 2025 but a series of certification delays have pushed back its production.
Malaysia Airlines had operated six A380 from 2012 until the carrier sent all of its superjumbo jets to Tarbes, France in 2022 as part of a deal believed to be made between the carrier and Airbus following the purchase of the first batch of A330neo airplanes.
Izham said it is crucial for Malaysia Airlines to operate a new fleet so that MAG could manage a better cost structure and offer improved product and services to its passengers instead of continuously flying ageing airplanes.
"We cannot continue to operate ageing airplanes. No doubt our airplanes are safe but our planes are tired. That requires investment," he added.