MAS going with the 737-800 and a380
April 1st, 2008 | by Dusk |
So, finally a conclution for the previous posts 737NG or A320 for MAS? and MAS new planes (fact vs. rumor). MAS is getting the Boeing 737-800 (NG).
March 31, 2008 18:21 PM
MAS To Buy Up To 55 Boeing 737-800 For US$4.2 Bln, To Take Delivery Of A380 In 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) — Malaysia Airlines will buy up to 55 Boeing 737-800 at US$4.2 billion or about RM13.39 billion, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Idris Jala announced here today.
The national carrier would also take delivery of six A380 in 2011 inclusive of compensation, he said in a statement to announce the airlines’ narrowbody fleet acquisition plan.
“Under our Business Transformation Plan, we are embarking on our network expansion to transform into the World?s Five Star Value Carrier,” he said.
“I am very excited with these developments as these new fleets will both form a strong platform for Malaysia Airlines to profitably grow.”
“The deliveries will not happen for a few years yet, when the weakness in the global economy should be less of a concern,” he said.
“We have placed a firm order for 35 B737-800 with an option for another 20 aircraft. The total cost of the 55 aircraft is US$4.2 billion at list prices,” Idris Jala said.
He said: “We expect to take delivery of the first aircraft from September 2010 onwards, which will be used to replace our existing B737-400 fleet and to allow us to expand to points which were not previously economically viable.”
Malaysia Airlines also has the option to swap the B737-800 to the larger B737-900.
“These aircraft will be used mainly for the Asean region, including the domestic sector in Malaysia and the fast growing economies of China and India.”
“Clearly, we are now gearing ourselves to benefit from the growth of this region which is projected at around six percent per annum,” he said.
Idris Jala said MAS’s aim was to ensure that the aircraft for the core network will always be the latest in terms of technology.
“We will likely partially purchase the B737-800 on our own and partially lease them as that would give us the flexibility to manage our balance sheet and financing commitments, and to sell some of them when the timing is right,” he said.
Idris Jala also announced that Malaysia Airlines will take delivery of all six A380-800 in 2011, with the first aircraft to be delivered in January and the sixth in August.
“After extensive discussions with Airbus and Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd, we have agreed on the terms for the delayed delivery of the six A380-800 aircraft ordered by PMB in 2003.
“The terms include an agreed amount of compensation for the delay,? he said.
The six A380-800 aircraft was supposed to have been delivered from January 2007 to December 2008.
Idris Jala said: “I think today is a good day for Malaysia Airlines, Airbus and Boeing.
We kept the A380 on terms that are win-win for us and Airbus.
We placed narrowbody jet orders with Boeing.
We are happy to work with both aircraft manufacturers.”
“We are now looking at the widebody aircraft replacement and will intensify our discussions with the manufacturers.”
“This is again an opportunity for both Airbus and Boeing to make their best pitch for our business.
Malaysia Airlines is committed to expand its network for the medium and long haul market,? he said.
– BERNAMA
Fun fact: MAS used to lease 2 737-800. Below is a picture taken by Capt Radzi Desa and was posted at Airliners.net. All credit goes to them.
So, 55 b737-800 at the end of 2010 and 6 A380-800 early 2011. Its going to be a busy year for MAS.