Malaysia Airlines receives first Airbus A330neo after months-long delay

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Malaysia Airlines receives first Airbus A330neo after months-long delay

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By Sky Industry News

Nov 29, 2024

After months of delays, Malaysia Airlines has received its first Airbus A330-900 aircraft. The airline initially expected the delivery in the third quarter of 2024. This marks the beginning of a new era for Malaysia Airlines as it plans to integrate a total of 20 A330-900s into its fleet.

In a statement on Facebook, Malaysia Airlines expressed enthusiasm about welcoming its new flagship aircraft, describing it as "the new pride of the airline and Malaysia." The company emphasized that the A330neo symbolizes their commitment to progress and excellence. "With the A330neo, we embark on a bold new journey towards growth and innovation," they stated.

The remaining 19 aircraft are set to be delivered by 2028 from lessor Avolon. Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, described this as a complex transaction involving both backlog deliveries and sale-and-leaseback arrangements. He highlighted that this was possible due to strong relationships with Airbus and Rolls-Royce.

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Malaysia Airlines plans to configure these aircraft in a two-class layout accommodating business and economy passengers. Initially scheduled routes included destinations like Auckland, Guangzhou, Melbourne, and Tokyo. However, some flights were removed from schedules following delivery delays attributed to issues identified during testing.

In January 2024, Malaysia Airlines anticipated receiving four A330-900s alongside eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s within the year. However, only two Boeing jets were delivered by mid-year. The airline is working closely with Airbus and lessors to expedite further deliveries.

The newly arrived A330-900 took off for its maiden flight on November 6 from Toulouse Blagnac Airport before arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on November 29.