THE STRAITS TIMES – Malaysia Airlines is considering ordering 25 single-aisle jets, probably Boeing 737 Max, on top of an existing firm order for 25 of those planes, according to CEO Izham Ismail.
“Our future network requires 50 narrow-body aeroplanes, so we have still got space for 25,” he said on the sidelines of an annual meeting of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines in Bangkok. “We have to make some decision by next year.”
Deliveries from the existing Max order are due to begin in 2024. An order for 25 Max costs about USD1.2 billion, based on prices compiled by Avitas.
“We continue to work with our customers to meet their fleet requirements,” a Boeing spokesman said. “We do not disclose ongoing customer discussions.”
Malaysia Airlines’ passenger traffic is back to 76 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels, with a full recovery domestically, and should reach 82 per cent by the year end, Izham said.
