MALAYSIA AIRLINES (MAS) has asked for proposals from manufacturers for up to six new long-range passenger aircraft to replace its McDonnell Douglas (MDC) DC-10-30 on thin international routes.
Under consideration for the deal are the Airbus A340, Boeing 777 and MDC MD-11. The airline is understood to want the first aircraft to enter service in 1996.
MAS, in the meantime, has taken delivery of its first Pratt & Whitney PW4168 turbofan-powered A330 twinjet, six months after the aircraft was due to enter service. Deliveries were initially held up by a de-lamination problem with the aircraft's thruster-reverser cowling and the loss of a test aircraft. Four had already been completed and were parked in Toulouse.
The airline will take delivery of five A330s by the end of March. Five more are due to enter service by the end of 1995.
Source: Flight International
