Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), parent entity of Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International), has ferried its first A330-900N to Kuala Lumpur. Lessor Avolon handed over the aircraft at a delivery event at Toulouse Blagnac on November 28 before it was flown to Malaysia.

9M-MNG (msn 2080) is the first of twenty of the widebodies that Avolon will deliver to the group (including ten originally ordered from Airbus but later transferred under a sale/lease-back deal). The A330-900s will eventually replace the A330ceo fleet. Operating as Flight MH5039, 9M-MNG departed Toulouse late on November 28 for the flight to Kuala Lumpur, arriving the following day.

“We are proud to have partnered with MAG on a complex and unique transaction," said Avolon CEO Andy Cronin. "With global supply of widebody aircraft extremely limited these aircraft are a core element of MAG’s fleet renewal strategy, allowing them to capitalise on the continuing recovery in the Asian aviation market.”

As previously reported by ch-aviation, Airbus production delays forced Malaysia Airlines to defer the scheduled start of A330-900 operations. The airline had planned to start flying the aircraft on the Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne Tullamarine sector in late November, followed by Auckland International this month, but Malaysia Airlines recently postponed those start dates. The type is currently expected to enter into service in late December on the Melbourne route.