Aircraft delivery still a success despite some bumps along the way, says Loke
SEPANG: The arrival of Malaysia’s first Airbus A330neo marks a significant milestone not only for the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB), but also for the nation, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said despite several delays on the launch of A330neo due to global supply chain and manufacturing constraint issues, MAG and its partners at Airbus had navigated through adversities and managed to deliver the state-of-the-art airliner.
“The launch of MAG’s first Airbus A330neo is not simply the introduction of a new aircraft – it is a culmination of resilience, determination and an unwavering belief in the power of progress.“As this aircraft prepares to embark on its inaugural flight to Melbourne, it carries with it a renewed sense of pride and optimism for the future of Malaysian aviation,” he said at the launch of the aircraft at the MAB Engineering Complex here yesterday.
With that, Loke said there are high expectations on the national carrier as Malaysians want MAB to expand with more new routes, especially in Europe.
“Right now, we are out of Europe completely. London is not considered Europe.
State-of-the-art gear: Loke checking out the entertainment system of the A330neo. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
“So, we hope that very soon, we can fly back to Europe. That is the plan next year and I think it can be realised very soon,” Loke said, adding that this is part of a larger vision to improve connectivity and enhance MAB’s presence globally.
In 2016, MAB ceased flights to several European destinations as part of a restructuring, retaining only its London route.
Loke also said improving local tourism through better flight connectivity is a key goal.
“KLIA (KL International Airport) must become a global aviation hub and MAG plays a crucial role in this.
“Additionally, with the modernisation of MAB’s fleet, there must be significant improvements in on-time performance,” he said.
While praising MAG’s progress under the leadership of its group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Loke said there is still room for improvement.
“In the past two months, MAG, through MAB and MASwings, has made strides in on-time performance. But there is still work to be done. Firefly, in particular, has to really buck up.
“I am so sorry. Sometimes, I speak very directly, but I think this is important. Let’s call a spade a spade,” he said.
The inaugural flight of MAB’s A330neo, MH149, took off from Kuala Lumpur at 10.30pm yesterday and arrived in Melbourne at 9.25am this morning.
Originally slated for delivery in September, the aircraft was delayed due to findings identified by Airbus during the flight line stage.
Roomy design: A total of 297 seats in the A330neo comprises 28 in business class and 269 in economy.
However, Loke said MAG and its partners overcame numerous challenges to ensure the aircraft met the highest standards of safety, efficiency and innovation.
Izham, who spoke before Loke, said the new A330neo would set a new benchmark for air travel in Malaysia.
“Our A330neo has already set new industry standards, earning awards even before entering service. This is a direct result of the hard work, dedication and commitment of our team, who have worked relentlessly to deliver a product that not only exceeds expectations but also embodies the essence of Malaysian hospitality,” he said.
Izham also highlighted recent achievements, including MAB’s ranking among the top five airlines in the Asia Pacific region and being the only Malaysian carrier to feature in Cirium’s On-Time Performance Report for October 2024.
MAB also ranked 39th in Skytrax’s World’s Best Airline list and boasts one of the world’s top 10 cabin crews.
“These achievements are a testament to the progress we have made as a group and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support,” said Izham.
The A330neo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, has 297 seats – 28 in business class and 269 in economy.
MAB is expected to have 20 A330neo aircraft delivered by 2028, following its MOU with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon in August 2022.
During the event, MAB also unveiled an exclusive partnership with Mercedes-Benz as its private terminal transfer service provider starting in January.
The private transfer service will feature Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC and S580e models operating between KLIA Terminal 1’s Main Terminal and the Satellite Building.
MAG currently operates a fleet of 107 aircraft across its subsidiaries, including MAB, Firefly, MASwings and MASkargo.
