Malaysia Airlines plans to start A380 reconfiguration in late 2017

Malaysia Airlines CEO Peter Bellew, speaking on CAPA TV, said (15-Nov-2016) the Malaysia Airlines Group plans to reconfigure its fleet of six A380s into a new high density configuration from late 2017 to late 2018. He said Malaysia Airlines is working on a new configuration with Airbus that gives the group's new charter airline flexibility to have 650 seats with a small business class cabin or 700 seats in an all economy configuration. This will mark the first time an A380 will be operated in high density configuration with over 650 seats. Mr Bellew said the focus of the new A380 charter operation will be on Hajj and Umrah religious pilgrimage flights to Saudi Arabia but there will be "other niche opportunities that may become relevant" over the next 10 years. [more - CAPA TV] [more - CAPA Analysis]