Concept image of Boeing 737 MAX in Malaysia Airlines livery.
ISTANBUL—Malaysia Airlines intends to start a selection campaign later this year to cover the next stage of its narrowbody replacement needs, and the carrier is also looking to boost its widebody fleet.
The airline is likely to request proposals from manufacturers in the fourth quarter, Malaysia Airlines CEO Izham Ismail told Aviation Daily at the IATA AGM on June 5. It will seek board approval for this step in August.
If the board approves, the carrier could place an order within 12 months of the start of the selection campaign, Izham said. The airline would ideally like deliveries to begin in 2025, although realistically it may have to wait until 2026-27, he said.
Malaysia Airlines currently has 48 Boeing 737s in its fleet. It has existing orders for 25 737 MAXs to handle the first part of its fleet replacement.
The next order will be aimed at the second half of the narrowbody replacement. Both manufacturers and a range of types will be considered, including regional jets.
Meanwhile, the deliveries of the existing MAX orders have been delayed. The first of these is now expected in August, versus the previous target of May, Izham said. Malaysia Airlines expects to receive four MAXs by the end of this year.
The airline is planning to extend leases on some of its current 737s to cover for MAX delivery delays.
Malaysia Airlines is also looking to expand and refresh its widebody fleet. The carrier is seeking to lease another four Airbus A350-900s, which would be in addition to the six A350s it already operates, Izham said. The carrier would like to introduce them as soon as possible.
The airline is due to begin receiving its first A330neos in the third quarter of next year. These will be for replacement of the airline’s current A330 fleet.
