Malaysia Airlines’ initial agreements cover the acquisition of 20 A330-900 aircraft, with 10 to be purchased from Airbus and 10 to be leased from Dublin-based Avolon.
Malaysia Airlines, a part of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), announced the company’s decision to acquire the A330neo for the carrier’s widebody fleet renewal programme. The acquired A330neo jets will be powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and will join Malaysia Airlines’ existing fleet of six long-range A350-900s gradually replacing its 21 A330ceo aircraft. Malaysia Airlines will operate the latest A330neo on its network covering Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East. Malaysia Airlines has also decided to configure the A330neo fleet with a premium layout that will seat 300 passengers in two classes.
The initial agreements signed by Malaysia Airlines cover that the airline will acquire a total of Twenty A330-900 aircraft for the renewal of the A330neo fleet. Ten of the jets will be purchased from Airbus and ten more are to be leased from Dublin-based Avolon.
Izham Ismail, CEO, Malaysia Aviation Group said, “The acquisition of the A330neo is a natural transition from our current A330ceo fleet. The A330neo will not only provide fleet modernisation and enhanced operational efficiency, but will also meet environmental targets through reduced fuel-burn per seat, while keeping passenger safety and comfort at its core. This is a significant milestone as MAG moves towards the successful execution of our Long-Term Business Plan 2.0 to position itself as a leading aviation services Group within the region.”
The announcement for the purchase of the A330neo was made at an event in Kuala Lumpur, attended by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) CEO Izham Ismail and Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International Christian Scherer, who signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the jets to be ordered from Airbus. The agreements with engine manufacturers Rolls-Royce and Avolon were also signed at the ceremony.
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Airbus said “Malaysia Airlines is one of the great Asian carriers and we are proud and humbled to be its preferred supplier of widebody aircraft. The decision is a clear endorsement of the A330neo as the most efficient option in this size category for premium operations. It’s also the clear winner in terms of in-flight comfort and we are looking forward to working with Malaysia Airlines to define an exceptional cabin experience.”
In addition to the MOU for the renewal of Malaysia Airlines’ widebody fleet, Airbus and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to study for wider collaboration between the two parties in the areas of sustainability, training, aircraft maintenance and airspace management.
More about the Airbus A330neo Aircraft
The A330neo is the new generation version of the popular A330 widebody. Incorporating the latest generation engines, along with a new wing and a range of aerodynamic innovations, the A330neo aircraft offers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The A330-900 jet is also capable of flying 7,200nm / 13,300km non-stop without refueling.
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The A330neo is fitted with the award-winning Airspace cabin, which provides the passengers with a new level of comfort, ambiance and design. This includes offering more personal space, larger overhead bins, a new lighting system and the ability to offer the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330neo also features a state-of-the-art cabin air system ensuring a clean and safe environment during the flight.
