Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines passengers to get more In-Flight Entertainment
A new in-flight entertainment system has been rolled out on Malaysia Airlines offering entertainment improvements to its long haul passengers.
Kingfisher Airlines to join oneworld from 10th February
Kingfisher Airlines will become part of oneworld® with effect from Friday 10 February 2012, adding India’s leading carrier to the premier global airline alliance. Read more
President of American AirlinesTom Horton elected oneworld Chairman
The Governing Board of the oneworld® global airline alliance, has elected American Airlines’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Tom Horton as its Chairman. Read more
Malaysia Airlines announces RM527 million net due to higher fuel costs
Malaysia Airlines’ Group today announced a net loss of RM527 million for the second quarter 2011, impacted by higher fuel costs that offset yield and Revenue Available Seat Kilometer (RASK), higher than the same quarter for 2010. Read more
All change at Malaysia Airlines as Managing Director resigns
The Board of Malaysian Airline System Berhad (“The Board”) today announced new appointments as their Managind Director resigned. Read more
Malaysia Airlines to invest RM450 million over the next 5 years
Malaysia Airlines starts 2010 with a net profit of RM310 million for the first quarter ending 31 March. This marks a swing of more than RM1 billion compared to the same period the previous year.
The national carrier reported an operating profit of RM290 million which included compensation for the delayed delivery of the Aibus A380. Operating profit was up RM431 million compared to 1Q09.
Revenue increased by 21% to RM3.3 billion from RM2.7 billion a year ago on the back of the economic recovery which boosted global travel. MAS’ traffic increased by 29%, outperforming the Asia Pacific’s traffic growth of 12% as recorded by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
Everyday Value Fares: MAS cabin crew showcasing some of the values offered by the airline.
The first quarter also saw the continuous strong growth in the cargo business. MASkargo’s traffic saw an upswing of 31%, leading to a 53% increase in revenue to RM456 million from RM298 million in 1Q09.
Managing Director/ CEO, Tengku Dato’ Azmil Zahruddin said, “It has been an encouraging quarter. Both passenger and cargo business showed strong growth, boosted by the economic recovery, and our swift response in capitalizing on the increase in demand.”
“The 1Q10 traffic load is encouraging at some 75%. We have increased frequencies to key destinations, launched direct flights as well as introduced a new destination. We are also delighted to see the revival of the front end traffic with the return of business class passengers. We will continue to work on improving our yield.”
“MASkargo has also been swift to respond to the increase in cargo demand which rebounded in 4Q09. The increase in traffic and revenue led to a 16% increase in yield this quarter.”
While traffic and revenue have grown by double digit percentages, growth has been impacted by the fuel price which has increased in tandem with the economic recovery. “Jet fuel price has increased 55% from an average of USD55/bbl in 1Q09 to USD85/bbl this quarter. This resulted in a 42% increase in our fuel cost from RM713 million to RM1.01 billion. Although our non-fuel expenditure has decreased 7%, it does not compensate for the steep increase in fuel cost.
“Fuel price volatility will be one of the industry’s main challenges this year. Although fuel supply has remained constant, the speculators are back, driving the prices upwards. On 4th May, the fuel price hit USD98.95/ bbl,” he said.
MAS is 60% hedged at USD100/bbl for 2010 and 40% hedged at USD100/bbl for 2011. Prices quoted are based on WTI crude.
Azmil remained optimistic about MAS’ growth. “We have completed our rights issue and are in a stronger position, with close to RM3.2 billion in cash and negotiable instruments of deposit. Our shareholders’ equity is also strong at RM3.7 billion.”
“Our fleet renewal plans are in place, and we will start receiving the B737-800 in October. We will also be receiving 3 leased B737-800s this year which will enable us to add capacity to key destinations and meet the demand in customer uptake,” he said.
“Forward bookings are positive. We are working closely with the travel trade and pushing sales through our website to capitalize on the increase in demand. We are seeing robust growth for our online bookings,” he added.
Commencing 28 March 2010, MAS has increased frequencies to key cities in ASEAN, South Asia, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The airline also started flying to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, a key centre for oil and gas production, on 4 May. Paxis data (collated by the International Air Transport Association) which captures all full
service airline transactions showed an increase in the number of passengers travelling on MAS between Kuala Lumpur and key cities such as Seoul (49%), Mumbai (32%), Amsterdam (17%), Tokyo (13%) and Sydney (4%).
MASkargo is also powering ahead to capitalize on the strong global demand especially in China.
It has inked an agreement with Southern Air Inc. to provide MASkargo with 3 aircraft together with crew capability and maintenance handling. MASkargo also has an option to lease up to 5 aircraft.
“One of the most important air freight stations globally is Shanghai. MASkargo has enhanced their freighter network by increasing capacity between Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai, expanded the direct flights to Europe to 3 weekly frequencies, and introduced a flight to Sydney via Kota Kinabalu. Other network enhancements out of KLIA include introducing additional frequency to Narita and Jakarta,” he said.
Azmil concluded, “We are well positioned to capitalize on the economic recovery. Barring the high fuel prices, we are optimistic of a better year in 2010.”
Picture: British Airways Boeing 777 diverted after engine explodes
A British Airways Boeing 777 flying from Singapore to London Heathrow had to divert to Amsterdam Schiphol airport after one of its Rolls Royce engines had a major malfuntion.
No injuries have been reported and an investigation is underway.
Below is a picture of the damge taken by Rob van R of scramble.nl - this spotting messageboard is always on the ball and Rob has provided a fantasic shot of the damage on this BA Boeing 777 jet engine.
Picture taken by Rob van R from Scramble.nl
In 2007 a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 was caught on camera as its left engine decided to blow. Click here to see image.
Malaysia Airlines expects to mount 6 additional flights on 23 April
Malaysia Airlines expects to mount 6 additional flights, subject to approval of airport authorities, on 23 April to enable stranded customers to get to their destinations as soon as possible.
The additional flights on 23 April 2010 are:
- Kuala Lumpur to London via Gatwick and vice versa
- Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam and vice versa
- Kuala Lumpur to Sydney and vice versa
Its additional flight to London Gatwick scheduled to depart on 23 April at 12.00 noon is already full booked.
Priority for these flights will be given to special needs or elderly customers, and those with infants or young children. Following that, customers who have booked for travel from April 15 to 17 will be given priority.
For scheduled flights, priority will be given to customers with confirmed bookings. Bookings will also be accepted, on a first come, first serve basis.
Malaysia Airlines Director of Operations, Captain Azharuddin Osman said, “As of today, we have managed to clear over 2,500 passengers. However, there are still some 11,000 passengers still stranded system-wide with most of these in Kuala Lumpur.
‘With airspace opened at destinations where we operate, all scheduled flights to and from Europe have resumed. We are also mounting additional flights, and using aircraft with larger capacity, where possible.
“Passengers are also urged to remember that the situation remains fluid and any changes to this plan or updates will be provided under the Book/Flight Status section on www.malaysiaairlines.com,” he added.
To secure seats, stranded passengers can contact 03-7884 1234, MAS Call Center 1300-88-3000 (within Malaysia) or 603-7843 3000 (outside Malaysia). They can also visit Malaysia Airlines’ ticket offices at KL Sentral or KL International Airport to re-book flights, subject to seat availability.
Customers without confirmed seats are advised not to travel to the airport.
As there have been a high volume of calls to the Call Centre and waiting times may be longer than usual, Malaysia Airlines encourages customers with other travel related questions to refer to the ‘Ask MAS/Travel Advisory’ section on the website.
Stranded passengers return on first Malaysia Airlines flight from Europe
Malaysia Airlines successfully flew 338 stranded passengers on flight MH001S from Frankfurt into Kuala Lumpur International Airport today. The national carrier was the first ASEAN carrier to operate flights out of Frankfurt.
Malaysia Airlines Managing Director/CEO, Tengku Dato’ Azmil Zahruddin said, “Our focus is on getting our passengers home as quickly as possible. We are glad this flight was able to accomplish just that.
“It’s a good start. Over the next couple of days, we will gradually operate more flights to and from the affected airports to clear the backlog of passengers. The situation remains fluid so we will continue to assess the situation on a daily basis.
“In the meantime, stranded passengers are urged to check flight status before they leave for the airport via our website and call centre,” he added.
Flight MH001S out of Frankfurt also operated with 14.7 tonnes of cargo out of Frankfurt as well as passengers originally booked on other carriers.
In the meantime, Malaysia Airlines will continue to resume its scheduled flights to London, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt for tomorrow, Thursday, 22 April 2010.
This applies to the following flights:
On 22 April from Kuala Lumpur to:
- London (MH4) scheduled to depart 10.05am
- London (MH2) scheduled to depart 11.40pm
- Amsterdam (MH16) scheduled to depart 11.55pm
- Paris (MH20) scheduled to depart 11.35pm
- Frankfurt (MH6) scheduled to depart at 11.50pm
On 23 April to Kuala Lumpur from:
- London (MH3) scheduled to depart 12.00noon
- London (MH1) scheduled to depart 10.00pm
- Amsterdam (MH17) scheduled to depart 12.00noon
- Paris (MH21) scheduled to depart 12.00noon
- Frankfurt (MH5) scheduled to depart 12.30pm.
Scheduled flights to Rome are not affected and will operate as normal. Details are as follows:
- 22 April: Kuala Lumpur/ Rome (MH14) to depart at 11.45pm
- 23 April: Rome/ Kuala Lumpur (MH15) to depart 1.45pm
Both these flights will be upgraded to a B747 from a B777.
Malaysia Airlines expects to offer an additional flight to London on 22 April subject to slot availability at Heathrow airport.
Details are as follows:
- 22 April: Kuala Lumpur/ London (MH7502) to depart at 11.50pm
- 23 April: London/ Kuala Lumpur (MH7503) to depart at 8.20am
- 23 April: Kuala Lumpur/London (MH7504) to depart at 12.00pm
Only customers with confirmed bookings for travel on 22 April 2010 are advised to proceed to the airport. Stranded passengers should contact the dedicated telephone line 03-7884 1234 to re-book flights, subject to seat availability. Customers without confirmed seats are advised not to travel to the airport.
In addition, customers can continue to call the MAS Call Center 1300-88-3000 (within Malaysia) or 603-7843 3000 (outside Malaysia). Customers who have mobile phones are encouraged to register their numbers with Malaysia Airlines for ease of notification via SMS.
Malaysia Airlines orders 25 passenger and freighter Airbus A330 aircraft
Malaysia Airlines has this week ordered up to 25 Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft covering the firm order of 15 Airbus A330-300 with options for another 10. This follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Airbus in December last year.
In addition, the airline has also placed new orders for up to 4 Airbus A330-200F freighters comprising two firm orders and another 2 options.
Deliveries of the passenger aircraft will begin in the first half of 2011, with the first Airbus freighter joining the MASkargo fleet in September 2011.
Seating 283 passengers in a high comfort two class layout, the Airbus A330-300 will become the mainstay of the carrier’s medium haul passenger fleet and will be used on services to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to the Middle East. In the freight market, MASkargo will fly the aircraft on sectors of up to 3,200 nautical miles, with the capability to carry payloads of almost 70 tonnes.
“The Airbus A330s complements the other aircraft orders under our fleet modernization plan. The ability to add capacity will enable us to offer more frequencies to key destinations and fly to new destinations. This strategy complements our continuous investment in people, systems as well as infrastructure, and positions us in high gear for growth,” said Malaysia Airlines Managing Director/CEO, Azmil Zahruddin.
“On the cargo side, the new freighters will enable us to better serve the intra Asia route, and offer direct services to Europe from India and Bangladesh. This complements our expansion plans in China, and will strengthen our position us as a key niche player in the region,” said Azmil.
By 2015, Malaysia Airlines expects to have one of the youngest, most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly fleets in Asia.
In preparation to add capacity with the availability of new aircraft, Malaysia Airlines has been simulating demand by adding new frequencies which began on the 28th March 2010. These include offering 7 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Paris, 5 weekly flights to Auckland and 10 weekly flights to Perth. There are also new twice weekly direct flights to Brisbane via Kuala Lumpur.
The national carrier is also expected to announce new destinations beginning second quarter of the year.
“The latest order from Malaysia Airlines underscores the position of the Airbus A330 family as the most efficient and versatile product line in its class,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.
“In addition to the proven reliability and low operating costs of the passenger aircraft, the MAS group will also be one of the first airlines to benefit from the new levels of efficiency coming to the freight market with the Airbus A330-200F,” he said.
Malaysia Airlines is a long-standing customer of Airbus and currently operates 14 A330s, comprising 11 A330-300s and three long range A330-200s.