Boeing’s efforts to secure a 737 order from Malaysia Airlines (MAS) have received a boost following the airline’s decision to add 737-800s on lease from later this year.
MAS is evaluating the 737-700/800 and the Airbus A320 with a view to placing a major order for new aircraft to replace its 39 737-400s. According to industry sources, MAS has delayed its decision on the order from mid-year to sometime around September. In the meantime, the state-owned carrier has decided to add aircraft on lease as an interim measure.
The airline will initially wet-lease three 737-800s from Czech carrier Travel Service Airlines, with the first aircraft due to arrive in October and the other two in early December. Two additional 737-800s will be taken on dry lease early next year and will be flown by MAS crews.
“We wanted five [from Travel Service], but they could only spare three…so we are talking to leasing companies about leasing another two” for delivery from early 2006, says the source.
MAS plans to use the five 737-800s to launch additional services to Shenyang, Chongqing, Fuzhou and Haikou in China, and Armritsar, Cochin, Trichi (Tiruchirappalli) and Trivandrum in India.
LEITHEN FRANCIS / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
