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Malaysia Airlines has expressed interest in purchasing the new [[Boeing 787]] Dreamliner and has signed a deal for 6 [[Airbus]] [[Airbus A380|A380]]-800 aircraft. (''Image of the MAS A380:''[http://www.malaysiasite.nl/images/380malay.jpg]) The first A380 will be delivered in early [[2007]] under a lease deal from its holding company Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB). It will be used to provide additional capacity on trunk routes to Europe (ref: Airliner World, March 2005).
Malaysia Airlines has expressed interest in purchasing the new [[Boeing 787]] Dreamliner and has signed a deal for 6 [[Airbus]] [[Airbus A380|A380]]-800 aircraft. (''Image of the MAS A380:''[http://www.malaysiasite.nl/images/380malay.jpg]) The first A380 will be delivered in early [[2007]] under a lease deal from its holding company Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB). It will be used to provide additional capacity on trunk routes to Europe (ref: Airliner World, March 2005).

On the 3rd of October, 2006, Airbus parent EADS said Tuesday that the flagship A380 superjumbo jet will be delayed for another year. Chris Eng, an analyst at OSK Research, said the carrier is likely to receive its first A380 plane in July 2008, instead of January 2007. (ref: International Herald Tribune)




*Passenger
*Passenger

Revision as of 13:44, 10 October 2006

Malaysia Airlines (MAS)
File:Logo mas.png
IATA ICAO Call sign
MH MAS Malaysian
Founded1947 (as Malayan Airways)
HubsKuala Lumpur Int'l Airport
Focus citiesBayan Lepas Int'l Airport
Kota Kinabalu Int'l Airport
Kuching Int'l Airport
Frequent-flyer programEnrich
Fleet size99
Destinations76 (plus 23 codeshares)
Parent companyMalaysia Airline System Berhad
HeadquartersKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key peopleIdris Jala (Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer)
Websitehttp://www.malaysiaairlines.com

Malaysia Airlines (Abbreviated MAS; Malay: Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad; IATA: MH, ICAO: MAS, and Callsign: Malaysian) is the national airline of Malaysia, serving international and domestic destinations. It has the largest fleet size in South East Asia. It is one of only four airlines to have been awarded a 5-star rating by Skytrax.

History

Early History

Malaysia Airlines was founded in Malaya in October 12,1937 plying Penang and Singapore under the name of Malayan Airways Limited(MAL).The airline was incooperated under a joint innitiative of Straits Steamship Company,Ocean Steamship Company and Immperial Airways.Based on the history, the first fare paying passenger boared MAL airplane on April 2,1947,, 10 years later from the company was incooperated.In order to cater the growing needs of growing nation, MAL went trough an fleet exapnsion exercise thus causing MAL to start their cross border flights to Jakarta, Medan,Saigon and Palembang.Then British Overseas Airways Cooporation(British Airways),as a major shareholder of MAL,provided technical services and also trainings for flight attendents in United Kingdom.The presence of British Overseas Airways Cooperation had also facilitated MAL's entry as a member of International Air Transport Association.

A year after Malaya's independence,MAL took the next step in becoming a new cooperate scene in Malaysia.With the participation of BOAC from UK, Qantas Airways from Australia,The Federal Government of Malaya,Singapore and North Borneo launched MAL as a public cooperation.

In 1966, following the formation of Malaysia (consists of Malaya,Singapore and North Borneo),The Malaysia's Government and Singapore became the major stakeholders in the national carrier.Within 20 short years, MAL had grown from a single aircraft operator into a company with 2,400 employees and a fleet operator using the latest aircraft. In 1967, a new branding exercise saw MAL changing its name to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA).

In 1971,the partnership between Malaysia and Singapore was disolved hence changing it's name from MSA to Malaysia Airlines System. Assets from MSA such as Boeing 737 and 707 ,headquaters in Singapore and also the Flight Attendant Uniform(Kebaya)was taken by Singapore Airlines.

Evolution and Modernization

File:MASB744-1.JPG
Malaysia Airlines B747
File:MASBALI.JPG
B747

BY 1972,MAS is serving 34 Domestic routes and 6 international routes.In November 1972,Malaysia Airlines has became a member of Orient Airlines Association. By May 1973, the airline is carrying one millionth passengers, bolstered by development in air travel, Malaysian Airline System carried its two millionth passenger by the end 1973. Due to the early forces of globalisation, Malaysian Airline System started to service even more international routes including Tokyo, London, Madras, Manila and Sydney were introduced while services were added to Amman, Hat Yai, Jeddah, Perth and Taipei. In 1975, the airline launched Wings of Gold, a inflight magazine.

Part of modernisation of Malaysia Airlines,they have shifted their headquaters to an 36 story building in Jalan Sultan Ismail,heart of Kuala Lumpur.Futhermore, they had built a mantainence hangar in Subang.

In 1986, Malaysian Airline System introduced its first flight to the USA. The service, which ran twice a week to Los Angeles via Tokyo, also saw its first deployment of the brand new Boeing 747-300 Combi aircraft with stretched upper deck. By the end of 1987, Malaysian Airline System had established itself as an international carrier of choice, offering 34 domestic routes and 27 international destinations.

By demostrating MAS commitment to customer relationship management,MAS has introduced Estemmed Traveller loyalty programe. A month later, Malaysian Airline System (MAS) changed its corporate identity and became known as Malaysia Airlines. By 1990, Malaysia Airlines extended its global reach to include more destinations including Guangzhou, Ho Chih Min City, Fukuoka and Pontianak. Flights were added to its London and Tokyo routes to cater the increased passenger volume.

In the fleet expansion programe Malaysia Airlines has invested RM9.6 billion to buy new planes.

1996,Malaysia Airlines went trough their rationalizing program.They have spend another RM 10 billion to buy new planes from Boeing.In 1997,Malaysia Airlines broke 2 world records after aqquuring B777-200 which is the longest flight between Seatle and Kuala Lumpur and the speed of the aircraft.

Later,Malaysia Airlines announced that the airline is going to buy 6 brand new Airbus A380 super jumbo for it's fleet. In 2006,Airbus has delayed it's delivery of new plane to Malaysia Airline causing the airline continuing to use the old Boeing aircraft.

Services

Main article: Malaysia Airlines destinations

As of August 2006, MAS flies to 60 international destinations in Asia, Australasia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and South America plus 16 destinations within Malaysia. In cooperation with codeshare partner airlines, the airline serves a further 23 destinations worldwide. It was the first airline in Southeast Asia to fly to South Africa following the demise of apartheid and the only airline in the region that serves South America via its services to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Between 1 October 1972 and 31 July 2006, MAS also provided vital air link between remote areas of East Malaysia and its urban centres through Rural Air Services. Using the 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft, MAS provided services to the airstrips in Bakalalan, Bario, Belaga, Kudat, Lawas, Limbang, Mukah, Long Akah, Long Banga, Long Lelang, Long Seridan, Marudi, Mulu and Tomanggong. Part of the 2006 business turnaround plan, MAS have transferred the majority of its domestic routes within East Malaysia on 1 August 2006 to the local low cost carrier Air Asia which in turn is sub-contracted to FlyAsianXpress (FAX). MAS continues to operate 22 domestic routes (including 6 within East Malaysia) on a reduced capacity[1] in addition to the flights operated by Air Asia.

Cargo

Further information Malaysia Airlines Kargo

Fleet

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-400
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-400
The nose of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-400)

In 1972 Malaysia Airlines had five Boeing 737-200s, and a handful of Fokker F27s and BN2A Britten-Norman Islanders. The Boeing 737-200s would remain until 1993, by which time a total of 12 were in service. In 1974 it acquired three Boeing 707-320s from Qantas Airways. DC-10-30s came into service in 1976, and five remained until mid 1990s. In 1979 Malaysia Airlines acquired five new Airbus A300B4s to replace its aging fleet of Boeing 707s; the latter were withdrawn from service by 1981. The first Boeing 747 for Malaysia Airlines arrived in 1982,a series -200, followed shortly by another.

In 1985 the only Boeing 747-300 to ever serve Malaysia Airlines was bought, and used for the inaugural service between Kuala Lumpur and Los Angeles. Malaysia Airlines received its first Boeing 747-400 four years later, and these have remained in service since. In the early 1990s Fokker F27s were replaced by ten brand new Fokker F50s. Boeing 737-400s were brought in to replace the older -200 series, and later (though shortlived) -500 series. In all Malaysia Airlines has 39 Boeing 737-400s. At about the same time Airbus A330-300s came in to replace the Airbus A300s. The Boeing 777s arrived in 1997.

Malaysia Airlines flies Boeing 747, Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft for medium to long haul international routes, while the Boeing 737 is often used for shorter international destinations and domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the airline's base. Many of these aircraft, especially the Boeing 747 and perhaps the Boeing 737, are expected to be replaced very soon in line with their major restructuring plan.

Malaysia Airlines has expressed interest in purchasing the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner and has signed a deal for 6 Airbus A380-800 aircraft. (Image of the MAS A380:[2]) The first A380 will be delivered in early 2007 under a lease deal from its holding company Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB). It will be used to provide additional capacity on trunk routes to Europe (ref: Airliner World, March 2005).

On the 3rd of October, 2006, Airbus parent EADS said Tuesday that the flagship A380 superjumbo jet will be delayed for another year. Chris Eng, an analyst at OSK Research, said the carrier is likely to receive its first A380 plane in July 2008, instead of January 2007. (ref: International Herald Tribune)




The average age of Malaysia Airlines fleet is 10.6 years in April 2006.

Malaysia Airlines has since retired its Fokker 50 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter on 1 August 2006. All of them had been sold off to Fly Asian Xpress, a new subsidiary of Air Asia to operate the Rural Air Services.

Refurbishment

To catch up with the best airline practice Malaysia Airlines is going through a cabin refurbishment process on First and Business class cabins on aircraft deployed on long hauls (B747-400 and B777-200ER). These include lie-flat seats, as well the latest in-flight entertainment system. Economy passengers also get a new in-flight entertainment system, with full AVOD facilities (meaning movies and music can be started/stopped/fast forwarded/rewound by passengers at any time). This is paired with enhanced onboard catering in all classes. New uniforms are also set to be unveiled, although there has been no deadline set for this.

In line with this, two Boeing 747-400s were painted in a red Hibiscus theme, and one Boeing 777-200ER was painted in a blue Heliconia scheme.

Flight Numbers

Malaysia Airlines flight numbers are allocated according to geographical regions. In general, even-numbered flight numbers are outbound from Malaysia.

Recent events

On 24 February2005, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines/Silkair agreed to seek greater commercial cooperation that will enhance their competitiveness and benefit consumers as Asia moves towards an open skies policy. The three airlines signed a tripartite codeshare agreement that will empower travellers with wider options and more connectivity when flying between the two countries. Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, which is the regional airline of the Singapore Airlines Group, will start codeshare flights with Malaysia Airlines between Singapore and Kuching, and Singapore and Kota Kinabalu from 27 March 2005, the start of the Northern Summer 2005 Schedule. (Appendix 1)

The Singapore – Penang sector will be codeshared between Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. For the SilkAir-operated Singapore-Kuching sector, the codeshare with Malaysia Airlines will start from July 1.

Malaysia Airlines is an early customer of the Airbus A380, ordering six in total.

Despite doing consistently well in surveys conducted by Skytrax, the airline suffers tremendous losses over the years. In the beginning of year 2006, the company recorded some 10 billions ringgit loss for just over the past 2 years as a result of the fuel hike. The Government of Malaysia took necessary actions to overhaul the operations of the national company. Idris Jala was appointed as the new CEO. He was one of the top managers of Shell Petroleum (Malaysia) company before joining Malaysia Airlines.

MAS three-year turnaround plan announced in March 2006 includes retrenching some over 6,000 employees from its current 12,000 employees, closure of unprofitable routes, giving up 118 trunk and non-trunk routes to Airasia, leasing under-utilised aircrafts and selling off the MAS headquarters building in downtown Kuala Lumpur. MAS cooperate headquarters is now moved to Subang International Airport.

A copy of the turnaround plan can be found at [3].

Codeshare Partners

Flights operated by partner airlines on behalf of MAS


Flights operated by MAS on behalf of partner airlines


Joint operations between MAS and partner airlines

Incidents and accidents

  • On March 15 2000, an Airbus A330-300 (9M-MKBdisaster)at Kuala Lumpur International Airport after arriving from Beijing revealed the canisters contained a chemical called "hydroxy quino-line" which is used for rust-proofing had leaked, causing severe damage to the aircraft fuselage. After that the aircraft was grounded for a year. Later it was probably scrapped.

Other facts

  • Malaysia Airlines is the only Asian airline to offer services to Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Malaysia Airlines and Japan Airlines are the only Asian airlines that fly to Latin America, Malaysia Airlines to Buenos Aires via South Africa, and Japan Airlines to Mexico City and São Paulo via Canada and USA repectively.
  • First airline to provide air to ground retail transactions, aboard the B777 and some B747 aircraft.
  • MAS has its own inflight magazine, Going Places, their own catering services, MAS Catering(MCSB) and their own travel agency, MAS Golden Holidays.
  • Boeing's airline code for Malaysia Airlines is XXX-XH6, i.e. 737-2H6, 747-4H6, 777-2H6
  • Malaysia Airlines is a major sponsor in many sporting events especially in county cricket in the United Kingdom and currently the World Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne.
  • Its cargo division, Malaysia Airlines Kargo, is being operated as a separate entity.

Reference

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Malaysia Airlines.
  1. ^ "Statens Luftfartsvæsen (OY-KAA)". Danish Transport Authority.
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