Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plans to begin implementing an overhaul of its operations, to coincide with the entry into service of the Boeing 777-200IGW this year.
The sweeping changes will include a rationalisation of MAS aircraft and engine types, with the phasing out of some of its Boeing 747-400/300s, 737s and Airbus A330-300s. The airline also intends to increase frequencies on its European routes and expand capacity on shorter-range regional routes.
MAS has ordered 11 777-200s and four stretched -300s, plus ten new Pratt & Whitney PW4056-powered 747-400s. It will take delivery of its first 278-seat 777-200 in April, followed by a further three aircraft in May, June and July. Four more will enter service in 1998, and the first -300 in 1999.
According to MAS commercial director Bashir Ahmad, the 777s will initially be used to expand European services from 11 to 16 weekly frequencies. The aircraft will replace 747s now used on routes to Frankfurt, Munich, Rome, Vienna and Zurich.
The 747 will be retained for flights to Paris and Amsterdam, but supplemented on the latter route by the new twinjet. Further 777-200s and -300s will replace some 747s on routes to Hong Kong, Nagoya and Osaka in Japan and in place of A330s to Brisbane and Perth.
MAS will dispose of its four General Electric CF6-80-powered 747-400s, including two combi aircraft, and single P&W JT9D-powered -300 combi. Its -400 fleet will be standardised in future around the PW4056 powerplant. Two A330-300s on lease from International Lease Finance will also be returned, along with two McDonnell Douglas MD-11s, to World Airways, once the tri-jet is replaced by 747-400s on MAS' Cape Town/Buenos Aires route.
The ten MAS A330s will be retained to replace 737s on shorter-range high-density routes, such as to Jakarta and Manila. The carrier plans to sell up to ten of its 737-300/400s over the next four years. It now has 45 aircraft in service or leased out and is to take delivery of a final two -400s by April.
Source: Flight International
