Malaysia Airlines still keen on A330 despite B787 order

Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) is still in talks with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) about its widebody requirements despite last week's placement of an order with Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) for nine B787-9s.

Speaking to Bloomberg, airline Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Bellew said negotiations with the Europeans will continue this week with focus on the A330neo. If ordered, the aircraft would then be operated alongside the B787s as part of the carrier's fleet renewal plan.

Bellew added that Malaysia Airlines is, meanwhile, also scouting for up to twelve second-hand A330s to fulfill its immediate growth plans. The jets are required in the first half of next year and the rest in 2019 and will be used to replace existing B737-800-operated services on slot-constrained routes. Lessors with equipment currently in service with a "bankrupt European carrier" have reportedly courted his airline, he said.

Malaysia Airlines currently operates fifteen A330-300s with the first of six A350-900s due to deliver in November of this year.

ch aviation