KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd is facing another operational setback now with its brand-new Airbus A330neo (new engine option) grounded for 48 hours minimum.
This is after the aircraft suffered from a series of technical issues since its inaugural flight to Melbourne on Dec 19.
Group managing director of the national carrier's parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Datuk Captain Izham Ismail told Business Times that Malaysia Airlines has identified three technical issues that were due to the quality level of factory production and delivery level.
"Malaysia Airlines has suffered a series of technical issues arising from poor quality work from the factory and this has impacted Malaysia Airlines' inaugural flight.
"The aircraft is currently grounded for repairs. We need Airbus and Rolls-Royce to investigate the root cause of these issues on the brand-new aircraft.
"OEMs must be held accountable. This happening to a brand-new aircraft is not acceptable. To me, it's embarrassing.
"The root cause is coming from the factory and it is affecting the reputation and brand of Malaysia Airlines. It's unfair for the brand. Safety is paramount. I will not risk anything on safety," a disappointed Izham said when contacted today.
On Dec 19, MAG held a grand celebration to unveil its new widebody aircraft, the A330neo which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine.
Senior executives from Airbus, Rolls-Royce and aircraft lessor Avolon were present at the momentous event held at MAG's Hangar 6 in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The A330neo, bearing registration number 9M-MNG and is the first of the 20 aircraft ordered in 2022, made its maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne via flight MH149 with much fanfare.
However, the joyous moment was cut short among the airline's operational team as the aircraft, which arrived here on Nov 29 after a two-month delivery delay, experienced technical issues involving its engine and hydraulic systems.
The technical issues occurred again on Dec 20 resulting in the aircraft being grounded for repairs upon returning to Kuala Lumpur.
On Dec 21, Malaysia Airlines unfortunately had to cancel its flight MH149 to Melbourne as the issues persisted.
Business Times reached out to Airbus SE and Rolls-Royce Holdings for comments on this matter.
An Airbus spokesperson replied that the European aircraft manufacturer is ready to support Malaysia Airlines with the technical issues around their new aircraft.
"Airbus is ready to support Malaysia Airlines with any technical issues around their new A330neo," the spokesperson said in an email reply.
Malaysia Airlines were hit hard by the public in August this year after the carrier was forced to temporarily cut and delay several flights as it suffered various technical challenges due to shortage of aircraft components and engine spare parts.
In September, Izham told Business Times that the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must take responsibility over the issues that the global commercial airline industry is facing as airlines are facing maintenance challenges.
He also expressed frustration over the delay of the first A330neo delivery that has disrupted MAG's fleet modernisation and network expansion plans.
In addition, the group is also facing delay deliveries of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 that was ordered in 2016.
Recently, it received its fifth 737 MAX 8 after a seven-week strike by Boeing workers who were frustrated with the aircraft manufacturer in the United States.
Izham said the technical issues faced by Malaysia Airlines on its new A330neo is unfair for the national carrier as the aircraft marked its transformative journey to become the world's top 10 airline.
"It's unfair for the brand. It was a momentous event for Malaysia Airlines. It's the first step for our future and the history that we were going to make and the new journey that Malaysia Airlines want to pass forward," he said.
He added that it is also unfair to the travellers who have paid to fly Malaysia Airlines with the A330neo especially now during the peak holiday season.
Flights to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur will temporarily be serviced by another aircraft model, Izham said.