KUALA LUMPUR: Issues related to mechanical components and a shortage of skilled workers are among the significant findings made by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in its recent spot checks on Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) Engineering Services, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said that these two primary issues have contributed to maintenance problems affecting the effectiveness of quality management and safety systems for the national flag carrier.
“Therefore, to identify improvement actions following CAAM's spot checks, MAB has prepared a mitigation plan, which includes enhancing aircraft safety to an alert level, allowing for a focus on airworthiness,” Loke said in a parliamentary written reply on Tuesday (Oct 29).
“MAB has also undertaken the procurement of new fleets as part of a strategy to boost passenger confidence in the airline, in addition to ensuring adequate aircraft availability to meet scheduled flight demands,” he added.
The minister was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Itam), who had asked for the findings of the special audits on MAB following a series of emergency landings and technical issues affecting the airline.
Loke explained that to strengthen the maintenance of aircraft, the airline has also taken several comprehensive measures.
These include the temporary cancellation of flight networks, conducting thorough investigations to improve maintenance protocols and procedures, closely collaborating with engine manufacturers and suppliers to address technical and supply chain issues, as well as enhancing training and increasing recruitment of workers.
“Collectively, these measures were taken to improve passengers’ confidence and to ensure flights are safer,” he said.
Loke also said that following the audits, the renewal period for the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) has been reduced from three years to one year, starting from Sept 1 until August next year.
“Therefore, the airline will need to undergo more frequent audit processes before the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is renewed.
“This will ensure that MAB remains vigilant and undertakes appropriate improvements as outlined in the mitigation plan proposed by CAAM,” he said.
He also said that in 2023, MAB recorded 248 Return to Chock (RTC) incidents and 13 Air Turn Back (ATB) incidents. Up to October, the airline logged 181 RTC and 18 ATB cases.
“These figures have prompted the airline to adopt a strategic approach aimed at restoring passenger confidence and ensuring the highest safety standards,” he added.
The national flag carrier has faced several issues that forced RTC and ATB, including a significant fuel system issue on an Airbus A330 during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne on January 9, 2023.
Last April, a Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to return to Kuala Lumpur shortly after take-off due to technical issues, and a flight bound for Kuching had to abort take-off at KL International Airport after experiencing technical issues.
This year, flight MH156, which was en route to Jeddah on Aug 4, turned back to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, and in June, flight MH199 from Hyderabad to Kuala Lumpur was forced to return to the Indian airport due to an issue with one of the aircraft's engines while climbing after take-off.
A technical issue also forced a Kuala Lumpur-bound MH128 flight from Melbourne to be diverted to Alice Springs Airport (ASP) in August.
Following these incidents, the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced it would drop some routes served by Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and Amal until December to address recent “operational difficulties.”
