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Mohd Suhaimi Fariz

MAS Privatisation

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18 minutes ago, flee said:

I am not sure - MAG usually make announcements about orders that are MoUs, not firm orders. They take a long time to firm up the order. Does anyone know if the MoU for the A339s have been firmed up?

Looking at their past track record with the 787 wayang, I'm not putting much hopes on their 339s.

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On 4/16/2023 at 8:10 AM, Pall said:

Whats mind boggling is that smaller airlines who ordered max much later have got their aircraft. 

I believe MH is really not in desperate need of extra capacity since their B737-800NG fleet is enough to cover the capacity demand for now. The A330-300 freed up from BNE's route cancellation also leave some room for the fleet management. If they are really desperate, they could have taken up those B737MAX built for airlines in China at the first opportunity, notwithstanding the different specification those NTUs are built in. The delay in delivery is compounded by the supply chain issues at cabin fixtures companies which are having issue in ramping up their production post pandemic (after massive layoff in 2020/21), China-US trade war and Russia-Ukraine war. Things got worse when Air India and Akasa Air placed their billion dollars worth of orders. MH just "need to join the queue" as "normal" customers, not "priority" customers like Air India/ Akasa Air. Boeing is all out in trying to gain narrow body share market it lost to Airbus for past few years and willing to give heavy discount to get those NTUs off their hand.

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On 4/10/2023 at 9:15 PM, flee said:

Well, it depends on how desperate an airline is to procure the aircraft - lessors may have unplaced A359 slots that can be converted to A35K. Anyway, that is academic now as everything is still in hush hush discussions.

A333 parts should be OK due to the large numbers of aircraft in service as well as an expanding freighter fleet. Support should still be there in 20 years, just like support for A300s is still available. However I am not sure about the situation with PW engines.

Last Friday, Fiji Airways announced they have signed up for another two A350-900 for delivery in July and August 2023 respectively. These will be their third and forth A350-900. First two were ex-HNA Group NTUs. I believe the latest two will also be from the same source.  Only eight A359 are now available in the open market: Six HNA Group and two SAS airframes. MH, come on, move faster.......LOL.

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51 minutes ago, JuliusWong said:

Last Friday, Fiji Airways announced they have signed up for another two A350-900 for delivery in July and August 2023 respectively. These will be their third and forth A350-900. First two were ex-HNA Group NTUs. I believe the latest two will also be from the same source.  Only eight A359 are now available in the open market: Six HNA Group and two SAS airframes. MH, come on, move faster.......LOL.

Maybe they are eyeing the Aeroflot slots - probably better as the planes are not built yet. With the situation as it is now, I doubt any new build western aircraft will head to Russia for a long time to come.

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43 minutes ago, flee said:

Maybe they are eyeing the Aeroflot slots - probably better as the planes are not built yet. With the situation as it is now, I doubt any new build western aircraft will head to Russia for a long time to come.

Aeroflot production slots are all sold/ reassigned to other airlines. Those ten already built but not taken by Aeroflot airframes are now all going to Air India/ have gone to Turkish Airlines.

  1. MSN 457    TC-LGI Turkish Airlines        
  2. MSN 463    TC-LGJ Turkish Airlines     
  3. MSN 471    TC-LGK Turkish Airlines 
  4. MSN 493    TC-LGL Turkish Airlines 
  5. MSN 498     VT- Air India
  6. MSN 508     VT- Air India  
  7. MSN 554    VT- Air India
  8. MSN 558    VT- Air India 
  9. MSN 585    VT- Air India        
  10. MSN 601     VT- Air India

And yes indeed, a lot of A320neo family airframes built for Russian airlines are now heading to many other airlines who need them as replacement or new start up airlines.

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I think MH won't be that worse off by extending their A333 leases if they can't get new aircraft in a timely manner. They just need to refurbish the cabins to bring them in line with the new A339 and A359 cabins. With the lower lease rates of A333s and still competitive fuel burn for shorter sectors, MH can make a decent economic case for retaining some of their newer and lower cycle A333s.

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13 minutes ago, BC Tam said:

"For full year 2022, the group recorded net operating profit of RM556mil, while net loss after interest and tax for the year reduced 79% to RM344mil from RM1.65bil a year ago.
Cash balance stood at RM4.6bil at the end of Dec 31, 2022."

Finally, light at the end of the tunnel! They have a new website too! Although the fleet page of previous version was better. 

image.png

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16 minutes ago, JuliusWong said:

"For full year 2022, the group recorded net operating profit of RM556mil, while net loss after interest and tax for the year reduced 79% to RM344mil from RM1.65bil a year ago.
Cash balance stood at RM4.6bil at the end of Dec 31, 2022."

Finally, light at the end of the tunnel! They have a new website too! Although the fleet page of previous version was better. 

 

.... and coffee is no longer limited to "Nescafe Gold Blend" in the latest biz class menu

Screenshot 2023-04-18 at 3.06.20 PM.jpg

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19 minutes ago, JuliusWong said:

"For full year 2022, the group recorded net operating profit of RM556mil, while net loss after interest and tax for the year reduced 79% to RM344mil from RM1.65bil a year ago.
Cash balance stood at RM4.6bil at the end of Dec 31, 2022."

Most of the profit came from the fact MH was already small and laddled by severe cost cutting regime prior to the pandemic hit. Also the full certification to do p2cargo as being the primary source for income revenue while others were scratching their heads on what they can carry.

Now post pandemic it will be an issue if MAG can actually handle challenges of doing proper product renewal and retaining valued experience staffs. Elsewhere in asean flag carriers that were thought to have been buried dead can just bounce back quickly due to strong gov support, tourism and travel demand.

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6 minutes ago, Lim Kar Yong said:

.... and coffee is no longer limited to "Nescafe Gold Blend" in the latest biz class menu

OldTown White Coffee 🤣

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Those asking if MH has firmed up the A330-900neo order, here is an update:

https://airinsight.com/malaysia-airlines-reduces-loss-after-strong-q4/

"Malaysia continues its fleet renewal and expects the first four Boeing MAX 8s on lease from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) by Q3. The carrier signed a long-term lease contract with ALC for 25 MAX 8s. The airline will take delivery of its first Airbus A330-900 in 2024. It ordered ten of them last August, but they are part of a sale and leaseback with Avolon together with ten more on lease from the Ireland-based lessor."

In conclusion, MH will buy 10 of the planes from Airbus and then execute a sale-and-leaseback deal with Avolon, with the other 10 leased directly from Avolon. However, according to Airbus March 2023 Orders and Deliveries Excel, Avolon only has 9 A330-900neo on order and five of these nine have been delivered. https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/market/orders-and-deliveries

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Full release from MH and its highlights:

Quote

 

  • MAB achieved breakeven at operating profit level, an exceptional turnaround from operating loss of RM612mil a year ago.
  • Passengers carried was 6.7X higher than previous year with load at 62% higher while yield declined by 16% with more capacity deployed.
  • MAB On-time Performance (OTP) is down at 82%, compared to 89%  a year ago.
  • In 2022, MAB has refurbished eight B737-800 NG aircraft to include new lighter seats, interior and introduced MH Studio, an innovative wireless in-flight entertainment onboard.

With China’s border reopening in January 2023, MAB aims to regain the remaining capacity for its entire network which currently stands at 85%, and fully recovering services to China and North Asia by the end of 1H23. This will spur economic growth between Malaysia and China, boosting the overall business and trade links between the two countries.

In terms of fleet, MAG looks forward to taking delivery of four out of 25 Boeing 737-8 from 3Q23 onwards, which will see it deliver operational improvement directly with lower fuel cost and improve total network efficiency.

 

How will MH fly 1x 333 service to HKG, TPE, CAN, PVG, PEK when they are already short of aircraft? They have some room from the canceled 4x weekly BNE flights but they also have DOH 2x daily plus JED/MED. HKG as it is only served once a week on a 332 and the rest are 738.

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28 minutes ago, Craig said:

Full release from MH and its highlights:

How will MH fly 1x 333 service to HKG, TPE, CAN, PVG, PEK when they are already short of aircraft? They have some room from the canceled 4x weekly BNE flights but they also have DOH 2x daily plus JED/MED. HKG as it is only served once a week on a 332 and the rest are 738.

I believe they have a lot of 738s which are under utilized. These sectors can be operated by 738s as they did before pre-covid. Perhaps PEK (PKX) would require 330s. Considering MH is offloading inter borneo flights to FY, this would free up capacity to serve these higher yield routes. 

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2 hours ago, Craig said:

How will MH fly 1x 333 service to HKG, TPE, CAN, PVG, PEK when they are already short of aircraft? They have some room from the canceled 4x weekly BNE flights but they also have DOH 2x daily plus JED/MED. HKG as it is only served once a week on a 332 and the rest are 738.

I think they are also using the A332s (saw one heading to HKG the other day) - pre Covid, they did operate them to those destinations. They are also using A359s to Japan and Australia off and on.

Edited by flee

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9 hours ago, JuliusWong said:

Those asking if MH has firmed up the A330-900neo order, here is an update:

https://airinsight.com/malaysia-airlines-reduces-loss-after-strong-q4/

"Malaysia continues its fleet renewal and expects the first four Boeing MAX 8s on lease from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) by Q3. The carrier signed a long-term lease contract with ALC for 25 MAX 8s. The airline will take delivery of its first Airbus A330-900 in 2024. It ordered ten of them last August, but they are part of a sale and leaseback with Avolon together with ten more on lease from the Ireland-based lessor."

In conclusion, MH will buy 10 of the planes from Airbus and then execute a sale-and-leaseback deal with Avolon, with the other 10 leased directly from Avolon. However, according to Airbus March 2023 Orders and Deliveries Excel, Avolon only has 9 A330-900neo on order and five of these nine have been delivered. https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/market/orders-and-deliveries

That is why we ask - the info is a rehash of the Avolon PR and I am not sure if that MoU has been formalised. The Airbus order and delivery spreadsheet does not reflect the situation. So....

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11 minutes ago, flee said:

That is why we ask - the info is a rehash of the Avolon PR and I am not sure if that MoU has been formalised. The Airbus order and delivery spreadsheet does not reflect the situation. So....

Perhaps still listed as unidentified orders. 

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MALAYSIA AIRLINES RESUMES KOCHI SERVICE IN NS23

Malaysia Airlines at the launch of Northern summer 2023 season resumed Kuala Lumpur – Kochi service, last served until 2020. First flight was operated on 26MAR23 on board Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This route is scheduled 4 times weekly.
 
MH108 KUL2200 – 2310COK 738 x235
MH109 COK0010 – 0655KUL 738 x346

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Malaysia Airlines apologises over passenger's experience in Istanbul

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/04/901963/malaysia-airlines-apologises-over-passengers-experience-istanbul

By Dania Nabila - April 21, 2023 @ 9:22pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines has apologised for the trouble faced by a family on vacation in Turkiye recently and promised to get to the root of the problem.

In the statement, the airline said it had contacted the passenger Atieqah Azri on April 18 to update her on the progress of the investigation.

"We have kept the customer updated on the development of the investigation, which also involves Qatar Airways' handling of the situation in Istanbul.

"We will ensure the customer is given a complete explanation and resolution," the airline's customers relation team said when contacted today.

Yesterday, Atieqah posted a complaint on her Facebook page about the poor treatment she received on her return journey from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur on March 2, and urged the airline to take responsibility for the fiasco.

Atieqah was informed that her infant's codeshare flight ticket could not be checked in as the Qatar Airways system showed that the ticket was not fully confirmed, leaving her, her husband, and their 6-month-old son stranded at Istanbul Airport.

The family were left to foot the bill simply to purchase new tickets. An amount over RM8,000 was paid on the spot.

Atieqah claimed that her appeal to the airline was ignored weeks after the family returned to the country, forcing her express her anger on the social media.

Earlier report:

Family wants answers from Malaysia Airlines after Istanbul flight fiasco

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/04/901710/family-wants-answers-malaysia-airlines-after-istanbul-flight-fiasco

By Dania Nabila - April 20, 2023 @ 8:00pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Atieqah Azri was on a dream family vacation in Turkiye, which quickly turned into a nightmare when they had to fork out more than RM8,000 just to get back home to Malaysia.

On March 2, Atieqah, her husband Nik Ikrami Omar and their six-month-old son had finished their vacation and went to check into their flight at the Istanbul Airport to fly home.

She said they arrived at the airport three hours before the 8.20pm departure time for their Qatar Airways flight, a codeshare flight with Malaysia Airlines, whom they bought their tickets directly from.

However, they soon encountered a problem. Their baby's ticket, which was bought directly from the counter at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), could not be checked in.

Last update from the victim:

May be an image of 1 person

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/18449814976/permalink/10152015426849977/

As if travelling with an infant is not stressful enough, they were left stranded at Istanbul Airport then a seven-hours transit at Doha before reaching home. Monetary compensation aside, they filed few complaints went to MH office but no avail. MH customer services department didn't give two hoots, until the case went viral. I read the post few days ago, before it went viral. MH/QR really needs to buckle up if it is proven either or both parties screwed up the customer. MH should consider reinstating IST as it is a high demand route from KUL.

Edited by JuliusWong

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Some tidbits from recent Townhall:

1. Capt Izham acknowledged customer service shortcomings, especially via call center. Previously I saw a tender to set up call center in Malaysia for MAG, are they bringing the call center back to our own shore?

2. Network: Increase frequencies to CGK, DPS, HKG and PVG. Grow current markets (Australia and New Zealand). New market, possibly IST. New destinations: Kolkata, Amsterdam/Paris and Karachi. Widebody to high demand routes: SIN and DAC

3. Fleet: 737 MAX arrival in July, August, October and November 2023 -> will be delayed now since Boeing halted 737max delivery again few days ago (!!)

4. Firefly: BKI hub officially opens on May 17, 2023, intra Sabah and some Sabah-Sarawak route transfers to FY, end of 2023 MH will transfer its BKI-NRT and BKI-TPE to FY, new route to 2nd tier destination in China

5. Service: New menu, buy on board meals, book online meals, MAX same cabin as refreshed NG, complimentary wifi for Enrich Plat/ Gold, MHFlex and J class, new amenity kits, blanket and pillow

Interesting time ahead......

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They do have a call centre in Malaysia. Not sure whether the Fiji one is still active, but the Platinum line definitely gets answered in Malaysia regardless of language.

BoB you say? I thought they tried that a while ago. Or is that only for FY?

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5 hours ago, JuliusWong said:

Some tidbits from recent Townhall:

2. Network: Increase frequencies to CGK, DPS, HKG and PVG. Grow current markets (Australia and New Zealand). New market, possibly IST. New destinations: Kolkata, Amsterdam/Paris and Karachi. Widebody to high demand routes: SIN and DAC

5. Service: New menu, buy on board meals, book online meals, MAX same cabin as refreshed NG, complimentary wifi for Enrich Plat/ Gold, MHFlex and J class, new amenity kits, blanket and pillow

Thank you for the info. Interesting for DPS - I wonder if they plan to reintroduce the highly unpopular redeye to/from DPS again or something between 9 AM and 12 noon. IIRC, MH used to serve CCU, KHI at one point in time and of course they did IST, AMS, CDG about a decade ago.
 

Let's hope they don't use 7M8 for long and thin routes e.g. secondary cities in KR/JP/IN/AU. The refurbished 737-800 is bad enough for a 2.5 hour KUL-BKI whether in Y or J - can't imagine a 5-6 hour flight to say PUS/DRW/KHI.

4 hours ago, Chris Tan said:

They do have a call centre in Malaysia. Not sure whether the Fiji one is still active, but the Platinum line definitely gets answered in Malaysia regardless of language.

BoB you say? I thought they tried that a while ago. Or is that only for FY?

And for non Plats, just select BM and you'll always be routed to a call center in Malaysia 😬 I vaguely remember a BOB snack menu in the Going Places magazine (that's in addition to your regular free meal). I wanted to see if they updated the Going Places webpage but it doesn't help when one of their dropdown menu highlights is "CNY 2021@Home".

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Or they can introduce a 0700 to 0800 am departure using 738 specifically to connect them red-eyed from [UK / Indian Subcontinent / JPY] to [CGK/BKK/DPS] & leaving the 0900-ish departure for M'sia origin pax. 

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41 minutes ago, Riza said:

Or they can introduce a 0700 to 0800 am departure using 738 specifically to connect them red-eyed from [UK / Indian Subcontinent / JPY] to [CGK/BKK/DPS] & leaving the 0900-ish departure for M'sia origin pax. 

Interesting. But I think one of the main reasons MH uses 333 for MH714/715 is so that connecting pax from UK/IN/JP (plus pax from Oman Air) can fly a wide body from KUL to DPS (in addition to local traffic and a high demand route of course). IIRC, MH used to do 2x 772 and 2x 737 and it was the 9AM and 3PM from KUL that gets the 772 service. Mainline SQ has 6 daily to DPS, 2 on 7M8 (first and last flight) with the rest on 787-10 and they are all either morning or evening with no flights between 0915 and 1610.

I have always wondered about MH's BKK schedule. 0900, 1210, 1500, 1600, 1745 ex-KUL. I am curious why they have 3 flights almost an hour apart in the afternoon.

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