He was commenting on Prime Minister Najib Razak’s discussions with US President Donald Trump that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was looking to buy 25 Boeing 737 jets and eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and would probably add another 25 737s in the near future. The deal would be worth more than US$10 billion (RM41.9 billion) within five years.
Aziz said China has a huge market and there were many untapped destinations to serve.
“It is time now for MAS to tap opportunities in these growing markets. There is also a need to support demand from international flights to accommodate passengers from Europe,” he told FMT.
Asked on how Malaysia will get the money to pay for the purchase, he said one of the ways was through leasing.
MAS could lease from Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, which was established in 2002 to provide aviation services in Malaysia.
It is involved in the acquisition, sale and lease of aircraft and aircraft engines, investment holdings and ownership of domestic airlines.
Aziz said the new aircraft would benefit Kuala Lumpur International Airport and would make MAS into the main supporting international airline.
Furthermore, he said MAS does not have adequate aircraft to support the growing demand for air travel.
“It is timely for MAS to add more aircraft to its fleet.”
Bernama reported MAS managing director and chief executive officer Peter Bellew as saying in Washington that the new wide-body aircraft were the key to making the airline a premium airline, offering a five-star product again.
“The extraordinary range of the 787-9 gives an ability to operate to any point in Europe and some USA destinations in the future from Kuala Lumpur.
“The MOU with Boeing on their Global Fleet Care programme will allow the two companies to have world-class maintenance, repairs and overhaul for 737 MAX, 787 and 737NG based on Malaysia’s existing facilities in Kuala Lumpur,” said Bellew.
Malaysia Airlines currently operates more than 50 Next-Generation 737s and has an additional 25 of 737 MAXs on order, including 10 for the new 737 MAX 10.
Earlier reports had stated that MAS was on track to be profitable in 2018.
MAS had stated it will continue its expansion into China, with new services from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu and Chongqing targeted by the end of the year.
The carrier also intends to add three weekly services to Incheon Airport in Seoul, bringing the number of flights to 10 weekly. It also wants to upgauge its Delhi services from Boeing 737s to Airbus A330s.
The carrier is exploring options to add more widebody aircraft to its fleet in 2018 and 2019 to address strong growth in the international market.
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