Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International) Chief Executive Officer, Peter Bellew, says he expects the carrier's dedicated Hajj and Umrah charter unit to be up and running by the end of next year.
Speaking to the official Bernama news agency this week, Bellew said the stand-alone charter unit, currently known as "Project Hope", would operate Malaysia Airlines' unwanted A380-800s. As it stands, the six aircraft are to be refitted in the middle of 2018 with the first available for Umrah flights by around December 2018 and January 2019.
"Currently, we have them just under 500 seats and they can be set up over 600 seats and that's what we are planning to do in 2018. We will replace the seating and put in a new set-up, add extra seats," he said. "And also for the authorities in Saudi Arabia, it will give a very much better use of the airport landing slots and the areas at the gates."
The unit will feature its own Air Operator's certificate (AOC). According to Bellew, its share capital may also be opened up to investors given there has been a "significant interest internationally".
Malaysia Airlines has already announced it will use its six A350-900s and two A330-900neo, due to arrive on lease from Air Lease Corporation, to replace the lost A380 capacity.
