Malaysia Airlines to receive two airbus A350 by year-end

Fabrice Bregier

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- There is just a slight delay in the delivery of two Airbus A350 and Malaysia Airlines (MAB) Bhd would receive them by year-end, said president, Airbus commercial aircraft, Fabrice Bregier.

“It is a few weeks’ delay as the cabin alignment came in a bit late.

“The customers are well aware of that. If, let’s say, one month delay (in delivery) is still a very good track record for a new aircraft. So, I wont call it a delay,” he said at a press conference here today.

In the past, aircraft delivery used to be delayed by years, he quipped.

In September 2015, Malaysia Airlines Bhd signed a lease agreement with Air Lease Corp for four A350-900s to be delivered from the fourth quarter of 2017 to the middle of 2018.

This aircraft is already being used in the region by Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways.

Asked if Airbus was in talks with MAB as it was planning to acquire wide-body aircraft, he said: “Yes. But, it is their decision and their choice.

“We believe the A350 and the new generation of A330neo offered all the family concept of A330s.

“They (MAB) operate about 19 A330s. So, you have the crew, maintenance,  trained pilots in place and the new generation offers 15 per cent better fuel  efficiency.

“They also have very good quality in regional missions and also in long range.

“So, we believe we are well placed (for MAB to consider).We have to make the best offers to convince the airline which is in a very competitive environment.” - Bernama