Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is planning three major widebody aircraft campaigns to ensure the future needs of its fleet are met well into the 2040s, managing director Izham Ismail told the New Straits Times. The group, which operates Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Amal by Malaysia Airlines, and, until later this year, MASwings, is considering key decisions about its aircraft orders and fleet composition.
Widebody Aircraft Campaigns The three campaigns involve significant decisions regarding aircraft acquisition and fleet management. These include whether to exercise options on an existing A330-900N order, evaluating a second long-range aircraft order, and deciding whether to convert existing A330s or acquire new freighters for MASkargo, the group’s cargo arm.
MAG is currently receiving deliveries from a 2022 order for 20 A330-900Ns, with three aircraft already handed over to Malaysia Airlines and seven more expected this year. Ismail indicated that the group is evaluating whether to exercise options on the remaining aircraft from the original order.
Plans for Long-Range Aircraft To meet future growth, MAG is considering a second long-range aircraft order. The group is exploring several options, including the Airbus A350, Boeing 787, and Boeing 777-9. However, Ismail acknowledged challenges with long delivery timelines for the A350 and 787, and noted that the B777-9 has not yet entered production.
From 2031 onwards, slot availability for aircraft will become limited, which complicates the decision-making process. “It’s tough, because from 2031 onwards, the slot availability is limited,” Ismail said. “The B777-9 is a 400-seater aircraft, but it’s still doable to us if we spec it properly with maybe a three-class cabin. It is probably workable.”
Malaysia Airlines’ current widebody fleet includes three A330neo, five A330-200s, fifteen A330-300s, and seven A350-900s. The group plans to expand its A350-900 fleet to 16, with a request for proposal expected later this year.
Fleet Renewal for MASkargo A third key decision involves MASkargo’s fleet renewal. The cargo division is looking to replace three aging A330-200 freighters, which are between 12 and 15 years old. Ismail stated that the group is weighing the option of acquiring new freighters or converting existing A330-200 passenger aircraft for cargo use.
MAG currently outsources MASkargo’s narrowbody flights to other airlines, but the fleet renewal plan is designed to ensure the cargo division remains competitive for the long term.
Looking to 2043 Ismail emphasized that these decisions are being made with long-term growth in mind. “What we are doing today is not for tomorrow. We are looking at 2043, that far ahead. Buying an airplane is not like buying a car,” he said. “It is a huge capital expenditure, a huge investment, and the airplane can only be delivered starting from four to five years down the road.”
In addition to its widebody fleet renewal plans, MAG is also focused on a significant narrowbody fleet upgrade, replacing its existing Boeing 737-800s with newer B737-8 and B737-10 models. These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy to modernize and expand its fleet for future growth.
