Malaysia Airlines parent company – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) – has taken delivery its first Airbus A330neo.
Malaysia Airlines parent company – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) – has taken delivery its first Airbus A330neo.
The Kuala Lumpur-based carrier took on the first of 20 A330-900 – registration 9M-MNG – leased from aircraft leasing company Avolon at Airbus' Delivery Center in Toulouse, France. The aircraft then departed Toulouse and arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Friday afternoon (November 29).
MAG's A330neo is configured with 297 seats in a two-class configuration – including 28 fully-flat Business Class suites and 269 Economy seats. The aircraft has larger overhead storage, HD in-flight entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity. The A330neo is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.
According to MAG, Malaysia Airlines will use the new aircraft on routes across Asia and the Pacific, and selected routes to the Middle East.
Following the delivery of 9M-MNG, MAG expects to take delivery of remaining 19 A330neos through 2028. The lease for the 20 A330neos between MAG and Avolon was first announced in August 2022, comprising the placement of 10 A330neo aircraft from Avolon’s orderbook and 10 A330neo aircraft to be acquired from MAG via sale and leaseback.
“We are proud to have partnered with MAG on a complex and unique transaction,” said Andy Cronin, CEO, Avolon. “It was made possible due to the deep and long-standing relationships Avolon has with Airbus and Rolls-Royce, all collaborating to provide the optimal solution for MAG with the A330neo. 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.”
Malaysia Airlines is the 20thairline to become an operator of the A330neo. The new aircraft joins the current fleet of 20 A330s on the airline's fleet.
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