Malaysia Airlines orders up to 29 A330 and four A330-200F aircraft

Malaysia Airlines announced (31-Mar-2010) it has ordered up to 25 A330-300s, covering a firm order for 15 A330-300s with options for another ten, in an order worth approximately USD3.6 billion at list prices (Reuters, 31-Mar-2010). The aircraft will be configured in a two class layout with 283 seats and will be deployed on services to Australia, China, South Asia, North Asia and the Middle East. This follows an MoU signed with Airbus in Dec-2009. In addition, the airline has also placed new orders for up to four A330-200 freighters comprising two firm orders and two options. The aircraft will have the capability to carry payloads of almost 70 tonnes and will be deployed on intra-Asia routes and services via India and Bangladesh to Europe. Deliveries of the passenger aircraft will begin in 1H2011, with the first freighter joining the MASkargo fleet in Sep-2011. CEO and Managing Director, Azmil Zahruddin, stated the carrier plans to fund the aircraft with capital raised from its recent rights issue and debt funding (Bernama, 31-Mar-2010). CFO, Mohd Azha bin Abdul Jalil meanwhile stated the Request For Proposals (RFP) for financing should be finalised by Apr-2010, after receiving 20 proposals. [more] [more]

Malaysia Airlines: "The 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. 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," Azmil Zahruddin, Managing Director and CEO. Source: Malaysia Airlines, 31-Mar-2010.