KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd's brand new Airbus A330neo (new engine option) is back in operations with its first flight to Kuching, Sarawak from here tonight.
The aircraft was grounded for 48 hours since returning to Kuala Lumpur from Melbourne, Australia on Dec 21.
Business Times understood that the aircraft, bearing registration number 9M-MNG, will be flying to Melbourne again tomorrow (Dec 25).
Checks on FlightRadar24 showed that flight MH2528 departed to Kuching at 7.28pm.
The flight is operated by the A330neo instead of the narrowbody Boeing B737 MAX 8.
On Dec 21, Malaysia Airlines cancelled its flight to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur due to the A330neo technical issues.
Business Times reported first on Dec 22, quoting the managing director of the airline's parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Datuk Captain Izham Ismail that the aircraft had to be grounded for at least 48 hours.
This was due to three technical issues due to the quality level of factory production and delivery level.
The aircraft suffered the technical issues since its maiden flight to Melbourne on Dec 19.
"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 frustrated Izham said on Dec 22.
A spokesperson from Rolls-Royce Holdings plc said the initial trouble shooting on the A330neo had identified a faulty component and replacement of the part is in progress.
"We're working closely with Malaysia Airlines to resolve the technical issues; our initial troubleshooting has identified a faulty component, and replacement of that part is in progress," the spokesperson said in an email reply.
Airbus said it 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.
MAG held a grand celebration on Dec 19 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 9M-MNG aircraft 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
Izham had called for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to be accountable on what has happened to 9M-MNG.
"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," he added.