Malaysia Airlines Mulling Over Ordering 45 New Aircraft’s

As part of its long-term fleet growth ambitions, Malaysia Airlines is considering adding as many as 45 passenger aircraft.

As demand for air travel in Asia-Pacific continues to grow, the Kuala Lumpur-based carrier is looking to increase its capacity.

BNN Bloomberg reports that the airline is looking into potential candidates for the expanded fleet needs, including narrow-body and widebody types.

According to Bloomberg, Malaysia Airlines needs to expand its fleet by purchasing 35 narrow-body twin-engine planes and ten additional twin-aisle aircraft in the coming years.

Malaysia Airlines Managing Director Izham Ismail addressed the issue during the yearly meeting of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines in Singapore, stating that the widebody purchase will be for delivery starting in 2030. Meanwhile, the airline will begin approaching manufacturers for first bids on the single-aisle aircraft in the first quarter of 2024, with deliveries starting in 2028.

Twenty Airbus A330neos are part of Malaysia Airlines’ plan to modernise its regional widebody fleet.

The airline has ordered 25 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aeroplanes to replace older aircraft, operating domestic and short-haul flights.

Boeing’s bulkhead checks and other production delays have slowed the Max delivery. However, the first plane should arrive in Kuala Lumpur within the next week, according to the airline.

Six Airbus A330-200s, fifteen Airbus A330-300s, and forty-two Boeing 737-800s make up the current fleet of Malaysia Airlines’ mainline jets.