Malaysia Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, currently has a fleet of 81 aircraft.
As part of its growth plan, the company has requested aircraft makers to give suggestions on aircraft type as the national carrier looks to undertake more long-haul routes.
The Edge Markets quoted Izham as saying the airline planned to get a request for proposal (RFP) for new aircraft out soon, and that it expected a firm decision to order by the middle of this year.
“We recently issued an RFI (request for information), but we have not yet decided on the aircraft type. We are looking for new generation widebody aircraft,” Izham was quoted as saying yesterday.
“The aircraft manufacturers are now working with our team to understand what our future network needs are. We are now in RFI mode going to RFP mode soon.”
According to the report, Izham declined to disclose the routes targeted or whether the airline would purchase or lease the new aircraft. However, he said he hoped to “conclude with a direction” by the middle of this year.