Malaysia Airlines eyes A350 but wants first deliveries in 2017.

Malaysia Airlines could decide between the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 as its future of its long-range fleet as early as March/2015 for delivery in 2017 as a first step in a sweeping restructuring of the airline.

The Malaysian flag-carrier is preparing to be nationalised under full control of state-run Khazanah Nasional by year’s end and choosing a fuel-efficient replacement for its ageing Boeing 777 fleet is now a high priority for the airline.

“We definitely see an urgent need to have a long-term fleet plan for MAS” said Mr PK Lee, Regional Senior Vice President of Malaysia Airlines.

Source: publico.pt

“Once we establish a new business model consistent with our aspirations as a premium airline, we need to align this to our fleet plan” Lee told Australian Business Traveller in Kuala Lumpur.

“In March/2015 we will have an accurate picture of our first design for the new business – including fleet size, fleet types and fleet plan – so this will be an important milestone for making that decision so that in 2-3 years time we have the best aircraft for the long term.”

Lee said that while replacing the Boeing 777s had previously been discussed, “the total revamp of the organisation is an opportunity for MAS to seriously look at the fleet type”, adding that the issue was “definitely more important” in light of the pending nationalisation.

“The A350 and 787 are both very good aircraft, as to which we choose, it depends whether Airbus and  Boeing can convince us which is the better fit” Lee said, “but so far we have not looked into the 777X.”

Source: publico.pt

Lee said that despite Malaysia Airlines’ financial woes – the airline airline has racked up debts of $1.5 billion since 2011 – bulking up the fleet with factory-fresh aircraft would not be beyond the airline once its nationalisations is complete.

“Definitely we will have the money to buy them” Lee says. “As the national carrier we have 100% support from the Government”.

Based on the article “Malaysia Airlines eyes Airbus A350, Boeing 787 but unsure of 777X” published in Australian Business Traveller