Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International) has delayed the debut of its first A330-900N because of findings identified by Airbus during the flight line stage. The airline had planned to start flying the aircraft on the Kuala Lumpur - Melbourne Tullamarine sector on November 25.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent entity of Malaysia Airlines, says the first A330-900 was expected in September but will not now arrive until late November. The planned start of A330-900 flights to Auckland International in December are also delayed. In the meantime, Malaysia Airlines will continue to operate both routes with its existing A330-300 equipment.
“We are deeply disappointed by the aircraft delivery delays by Airbus, compounded by the ongoing setbacks of our B737-8 deliveries," said MAG Managing Director Izham Ismail. "These delays are significantly disrupting our fleet modernisation plans and growth requirements."
Malaysia Airlines plans to add twenty A330-900s on lease from Avolon (including ten originally ordered from Airbus but later transferred under a sale/lease-back deal). The A330-900s will eventually replace the A330ceo fleet. As recently as one month ago, Ismail was saying he expected to receive five of the neo widebodies by the end of 1Q 2025.
Malaysia Airlines also has twenty-one B737-8s still due from a 25-strong order placed with Boeing in 2016. In July, Ismail said he was expecting delivery of seven B737-8s in the coming months, with a total of nine B737-8s expected across 2024. At the same time, he said uncertainty around aircraft deliveries had caused the airline to delay a planned RfP for another 20 narrowbodies.
Ismail says it is crucial to have the necessary assets in place to meet growth targets and optimise the network. He says Malaysia Aviation Group remains committed to its fleet modernisation plans despite the ongoing delivery delays.
