PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Aviation Group’s (MAG) move to acquire 30 new Boeing aircraft is an investment that will strengthen the country’s position in the global aviation industry, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (pic).
The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said the deal also supports Boeing Composites Malaysia, a Boeing aircraft structure manufacturer that employs 1,000 Malaysians.
“It aligns with the country’s aspiration to become a regional aerospace hub by 2030,” he said in a social media post yesterday.
MAG announced the major acquisition on Friday as part of its fleet modernisation strategy.
The purchase includes 18 Boeing 737-8 and 12 Boeing 737-10 aircraft, all powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.
The deal also comes with an option to acquire 30 additional 737 aircraft at a pre-determined price.
A standout feature of the Boeing 737-10 is the introduction of lie-flat business class seats, enhancing premium travel on regional routes.
During the signing event, MAG group managing director Datuk Capt Izham Ismail exchanged documents with Boeing Global president Dr Brendan Nelson and CFM International Asia-Pacific sales and marketing vice-president Nakul Gupta.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was present at the event, said that Malaysia’s aviation industry is on track for a recovery and continued expansion, mirroring the full rebound of the regional airline sector.
Anwar noted that Asia-Pacific airlines have led annual growth by a large margin, achieving a 16.9% year-over-year increase in revenue passenger kilometres.
“This year marks a total regional recovery in the airline industry, as all regions have outperformed their pre-pandemic levels.
“With Malaysia strategically located at the heart of Asean, we are a gateway to Asia and beyond,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that MAG’s investment is not just about fleet modernisation; it is a move to solidify the nation’s economic foundation in an increasingly competitive world.
