BANDAR SRI BEGAWAN (Nov 12): Malaysia Airlines Bhd is expected to receive its first of 20 Airbus 330-900 (Airbus A330neo) aircraft in the “coming days”, according to an executive of the European aerospace giant.
The delivery of the wide-body aircraft, which missed its initial deadline in September as well as the subsequent rescheduled date in October, is finally expected to be delivered soon, said Airbus Asia Pacific president Anand Stanley.
The aircraft had undertaken its first test flight on Nov 6, according to Malaysia Airlines’ post on X.
“We are very disappointed about the specific delays in delivery of the aircraft, but we are working very hard and are confident that we will deliver the aircraft in the coming days,” Stanley told The Edge in an interview on Tuesday.
The delays stem from the supply chain constraints currently plaguing the industry, which the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is currently working towards resolving, said Stanley.
“We slowed down production and the supply chain during the pandemic, but are now ramping up to meet demand in the post-pandemic era.
“The momentum is in the right direction, but sometimes it still results in delays, but the bottomline is that we are working with suppliers, monitoring them and resolving the delays,” he added.
Stanley was in Brunei along with leaders of Asia Pacific air carriers, who are attending the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines' assembly of presidents.
The association is expected to assess the industry’s recovery and challenges to continued growth, including the ongoing supply chain issues affecting the timely delivery of aircraft, engines, components and parts.
Previously, Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG) group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail expressed his disappointment in response to the Airbus’ aircraft delivery delays as it disrupted its fleet modernisation plans.
MAG, the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, was scheduled to receive 17 new aircraft this year — 13 Boeing 737-8s and four Airbus A330neos. Thus far, the group has only received four Boeing 737-8s, while the A330neos expected to be received by year-end has dropped to three.
The deliveries form part of MAG’s ongoing fleet modernisation plan as it works towards replacing its ageing fleet. The 20 A330neos are to replace the carrier’s existing A330-200 and A330-300 fleet in stages till 2028.
“We are very happy to be a part of Malaysia Airlines’ fleet modernization journey and we appreciate MAG’s patience in waiting for this brand new aircraft that’s going to come and then once it comes the subsequent deliveries that are going to keep coming are going to be really a part of that modernisation journey,” Stanley said.
Meanwhile, Stanley also highlighted Airbus’ interest in pushing the narrow-body A220 to Malaysian carriers.