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MAB to Lease 6 Ex-Air Berlin Airbus A330-200 Aircraft from February 2018

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I'm guessing that frees up an A333 for regional use. But I'm also wondering if this is a temporary arrangement since the A350 is supposed to fly to AKL, unless they've changed their minds.

I believe AKL is highly seasonal so KUL-AKL during Southern Winter is probably too premium heavy (plus no airline, IIRC, offers F to AKL other than SQ/EK).

 

In the Australian BT report linked above, they said they would use the same equipment for all Australian routes. So.....

It should read all Australian *insert* except WA routes :p

 

If you read what the press is reporting, you have PB saying it's going to PER, DEL, BOM, etc. and regional routes only. But then AuBT says it's going to CGK, BKK, DEL, BOM (at least DEL/BOM is consistent) plus AKL. I can certainly see those 332s going to SIN/HKG during peak periods, but didn't a MH insider said the 332s aren't going to do long-haul (because it's not configured for it)?

 

But seriously, MH timing is really bad for arrival - unless one has family and friends to pick up, it is not that convenient.

MH126/127 is targeting ex-PER traffic rather than ex-KUL. The defunct MH124/125 was targeting ex-Malaysia/Europe.

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MAB's fleet strategy is a little confusing - on one hand, it was announced that the A332s are brought in to REPLACE B738s. Logically, these aircraft should then operate on routes that are currently served by B738s.

 

Then they announced that the A332s will be used for AKL - this is currently an A333 route.

 

Subsequently, they said that Australian routes will have the same equipment (for business class), but PER is clearly a B738 route at the moment and that is different to the A333 that are used to ADL, MEL and SYD.

 

If MAB said the B738 is being replaced by the A332, it should be used to PER at some point in time. If MAB said that all Aussie routes should use the same equipment, then the A333 should resume its service to PER at some time.

 

So what will it be? Lets wait and see!

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MAB's fleet strategy is a little confusing - on one hand, it was announced that the A332s are brought in to REPLACE B738s. Logically, these aircraft should then operate on routes that are currently served by B738s.

 

Then they announced that the A332s will be used for AKL - this is currently an A333 route.

 

Subsequently, they said that Australian routes will have the same equipment (for business class), but PER is clearly a B738 route at the moment and that is different to the A333 that are used to ADL, MEL and SYD.

 

If MAB said the B738 is being replaced by the A332, it should be used to PER at some point in time. If MAB said that all Aussie routes should use the same equipment, then the A333 should resume its service to PER at some time.

 

So what will it be? Lets wait and see!

 

What makes you think MAB intends the A332 is to be used to replace ALL long range B738 routes? IIRC they said it was B738 routes with high demand.

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Subsequently, they said that Australian routes will have the same equipment (for business class), but PER is clearly a B738 route at the moment and that is different to the A333 that are used to ADL, MEL and SYD.

 

Checking MAS booking, KUL > PER on 19th October - 21st is on the A333. But back to 737 again on the 22nd. They can't make up their minds.

 

The 737-10 can't come soon enough.

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The A332 to AKL makes sense. If they are struggling with the A333 on that route, the smaller A332 would be better and it also has better range and there shouldn't be any payload restrictions either.

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The A332 to AKL makes sense. If they are struggling with the A333 on that route, the smaller A332 would be better and it also has better range and there shouldn't be any payload restrictions either.

Yes, it makes perfect sense as the A350 is too big and expensive.

 

I guess MAB just needs to communicate its fleet strategy more effectively and not give conflicting and confusing messages to its customers.

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I guess MAB just needs to communicate its fleet strategy more effectively and not give conflicting and confusing messages to its customers.

 

If not mistaken they are not confirming anything yet and said they are still exploring some of the options available... it just us who speculate a lot of things :D

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Then they announced that the A332s will be used for AKL - this is currently an A333 route.

 

So what will it be? Lets wait and see!

If you read AusBT, they didn't report that MH announced that they are going to send 332s to AKL. The only official word coming from MH from the article is:

 

 

A spokesman for Malaysia Airlines told Australian Business Traveller that there were no plans to use the Airberlin A330-200 jets to recommence flights to Brisbane, as the airline wanted to offer the same A330-300 business class on all Australian routes.

"It is too premature for us to consider new routes currently. The lease of these six second hand Airbus A330-200 is as replacement for six narrowbody Boeing 737 that are being returned to lessors" and will allow the airline "to bridge the next generation wide-body aircraft orders" for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

 

 

If not mistaken they are not confirming anything yet and said they are still exploring some of the options available... it just us who speculate a lot of things :D

Correct! :)

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If not mistaken they are not confirming anything yet and said they are still exploring some of the options available... it just us who speculate a lot of things :D

:pardon:

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If not mistaken they are not confirming anything yet and said they are still exploring some of the options available... it just us who speculate a lot of things :D

Not just us - most publications "analyse" things. But in a forum like this, there is no harm discussing the possibilities. We are just trying to make sense out of the various bits of information coming out from MAB. Different people have different opinions and it is interesting to see the different interpretations. Ultimately, we will have to wait till the aircraft arrive and see what routes they are deployed to. For plane spotters, the A332 will be a nice addition to the collection!

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Not just us - most publications "analyse" things. But in a forum like this, there is no harm discussing the possibilities. We are just trying to make sense out of the various bits of information coming out from MAB. Different people have different opinions and it is interesting to see the different interpretations. Ultimately, we will have to wait till the aircraft arrive and see what routes they are deployed to. For plane spotters, the A332 will be a nice addition to the collection!

 

A332 is more like a re-introduction than addition :) Previously MH had a handful of leased in A332, all in the classic 1990-2000 livery... Would be good to see them in the swooshy livery :)

 

IIRC, MH was able to fill in the KUL-AKLroute with the B77E. Not sure how business is going post MH370 days and I have not flown on that route after 2007, but A332 might be a bit too small? Would have thought 333 is a good size for the route.

Edited by S V Choong

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A332 is more like a re-introduction than addition :) Previously MH had a handful of leased in A332, all in the classic 1990-2000 livery... Would be good to see them in the swooshy livery :)

 

IIRC, MH was able to fill in the KUL-AKLroute with the B77E. Not sure how business is going post MH370 days and I have not flown on that route after 2007, but A332 might be a bit too small? Would have thought 333 is a good size for the route.

Well, the cabin is a lot more modern as AB has recently refurbished them.

 

AKL is a different route nowadays. Just look at all those EK A380s at the airport! MH is just serving its own niche market as the lions' share has gone to the ME3. The A333 is currently flying at the edge of its performance envelope and there are load restrictions. So deploying the A332 on this route would seem to make the most sense.

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IIRC, MH was able to fill in the KUL-AKLroute with the B77E. Not sure how business is going post MH370 days and I have not flown on that route after 2007, but A332 might be a bit too small? Would have thought 333 is a good size for the route.

 

The total seat number on the A333 and MH's ex-AB's A332 is almost identical at +- 280 seats.

Not sure about the cargo capacity but do we need that many sheep anyway.

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The total seat number on the A333 and MH's ex-AB's A332 is almost identical at +- 280 seats.

Not sure about the cargo capacity but do we need that many sheep anyway.

 

 

Thought the sheeps are well covered by SQ Cargo's B747-400F ad-hoc visit to BKI and etc... :D

 

Well, the cabin is a lot more modern as AB has recently refurbished them.

 

AKL is a different route nowadays. Just look at all those EK A380s at the airport! MH is just serving its own niche market as the lions' share has gone to the ME3. The A333 is currently flying at the edge of its performance envelope and there are load restrictions. So deploying the A332 on this route would seem to make the most sense.

 

True, I concur... I saw my friend's photos - 3x EK A380s daily, with each going to BNE, SYD and MEL.... used to be A380 to SYD, 773 to BNE and 345 to MEL...

Edited by S V Choong

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"Owh, 734 is an old aircraft... we should get a new one... owh okay 738.

Yikes.. 738 not new enough.. we should get newer... owh okay 73Max.

Eh.. 738 ke 73Max ke tak cukup capacity, we should get bigger aircraft.. owh okay 332"

 

"Eh 332 old aircraft lah.. no confident to fly.. we should get newer aircraft.. owh okay 339

Eh 339 nothing new lah. only strengthening wings, structure and new engines.. not as good as 789 or 350. They got better cabin pressure so less air sickness... owh okay we order 789"

 

"Eh 789 order 8 only? Eh 359 order 6 only? Tak cukup la we should order more.

Eh mix aircraft 359 & 789? not good business sense la ini MH. High cost to maintain, costly, semua teruk.

Eh why make decision so late? Other carrier already use the aircraft. We are just about to order? Ketinggalan zaman

Eh Gomen olso campur ka in this? no change la MH since then until now sama no point doing business..."

 

"Beli salah tak beli salah. Buy this aircraft too old buy that aircraft too expensive buy another aircraft too big buy the other aircraft nonsense.

 

My fellow Malaysian & MalaysianWings.Net members, give MH chance to do the business. The current situation is way better than what we had gone through during MAS time. Gomen interference is at minimum level currently. I do understand we are so eager to see MH to flying high again. We want to see and to feel that it worth our money (via Khazanah) to inject MYR6b into MH. We want to see MH to be as good as other carriers.

 

Comments are welcome, ideas are welcome. But we hope whatever ideas and comments would be logical and possible to implement. As an insider, sometimes we could only laugh or sakit hati with some of the comments here. Either you are totally zero knowledge, you just say it out loud without any basis, you are too ambitious, too much influence from the development of other carriers, or you are very logical in giving your opinion, comments and etc.

 

MH is my 5th carrier I work with. Starting with BI, EY, UA, QR, ERL and now MH. Im sure Im not the only MH staff in Mwings here.

 

If I may say, what MH doing now is the most logical decision we have made, based on current situation, compare to the previous management or previous MAS. Not the best nor the most popular decision, but we think the decision made is the best suit with our current situation. We are almost there to be in black and we need to work extra harder.

Thanks for your post and some insight on what it is to be on the inside. I think you should lighten up and not take the discussions here to heart.

 

As outsiders, the public have very limited information and are always trying to make sense of whatever information that is disclosed by the MAG. So far, the MAG has been doing reasonably well - definitely better than the old and technically bankrupt MAS. But there are times recently when the decisions seem to be deviating from their stated policies, aims and objectives. This causes confusion and a great deal of speculation.

 

For many who have participated in the discussion here, the national airline is of great pride and importance to them. Why bother wasting your time posting your thoughts if you are not genuinely concerned about the success and wellbeing of the airline? It would be a sad day if no one bothers to pay attention to what their national airline does or whether it is successful or otherwise!

 

Keep the discussions going! :clapping:

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Air Berlin has seven A332's - the oldest D-ABXA (MSN 288) was first delivered to Swissair on 20 July 1999. The youngest, D-ABXG (MSN 802) was first delivered to Eurofly on 14 Dec 2006.

 

With a 6 year lease, these will almost certainly be the last A330 CEOs to leave the fleet - by then the replacements would have come in for the current A330 CEOs.

Just been doing some research...Airfleets shows AB as operating (now all stored) 17 A332-223's. The newest frame is shown as (MSN 1112) ex TAM D-ABXF only delivered to AB in 03/2017. It also shows 5 A332's which were leased from Aercap and these are.....MSN's 454, 469, 822, 968 and 1112. I'd imagine if these are in-fact the ones MH is leasing the later frames would be very capable of KUL-AKL-KUL without payload restrictions.

 

Pulled up alongside Cathay Dragons A333 B-HLA yesterday morning at KLIA, still looks immaculate...these RR powered age so gracefully compared to their P&W counterparts. She doesn't look anywhere near 23 years old. Then whilst on the domestic side 9M-MTA taxied past looking dull, dirty and neglected. MH aircraft don't have that gleam and shine of other carriers, maybe they are painted with a matte white.

Edited by Tom/PER

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One of 6 leased A332 has been ferried to SIN; ex D-ALPI. D-ALPJ will follow next.

 

Does that mean that it is being prepared for delivery? IIRC, MAB is just adapting the cabin with minimal changes.So its just maintenance, paint and delivery. How long will that take?

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Does that mean that it is being prepared for delivery? IIRC, MAB is just adapting the cabin with minimal changes.So its just maintenance, paint and delivery. How long will that take?

 

Preparation after end of lease package usually involving heavy maintenance, usually takes about 1-3 months. It depends on how much different and complexity between old operator and new lessor configuration, and the availability of spare parts and manpower. The work might includes re-weighting and re-balancing of c.o.g, cabin wiring routing, replacement of panels and structural parts, functional and operational tests, legal documentations, etc. Commonly there is one or two representatives from the new lessor/owner will monitor the project, so that it will fulfills their standard requirements.

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Thank you for your detailed explanation. :good:


Preparation after end of lease package usually involving heavy maintenance, usually takes about 1-3 months. It depends on how much different and complexity between old operator and new lessor configuration, and the availability of spare parts and manpower. The work might includes re-weighting and re-balancing of c.o.g, cabin wiring routing, replacement of panels and structural parts, functional and operational tests, legal documentations, etc. Commonly there is one or two representatives from the new lessor/owner will monitor the project, so that it will fulfills their standard requirements.

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The question now is, who is going to fly all the planes? They are really2 short of manpower with the arrival of 350 and 332

The A359 replaces the A380 - I suppose some of the A380 crew are already training to operate the A350.

 

The A332 will replace B738s that are leaving the MAB fleet - perhaps some B738 crews are also training to operate the A332s.

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The A359 replaces the A380 - I suppose some of the A380 crew are already training to operate the A350.

 

The A332 will replace B738s that are leaving the MAB fleet - perhaps some B738 crews are also training to operate the A332s.

738 and a333 already not enough crew. Many fresh 738 cadet pilots left mab before even signing anything. Some existing crew took 9months for leave approval some never got approved due to shortage of crew some never got their leave approved while working nearly 80+ hours a month while AirAsia offers higher salary with the same hard hours u fly. If mab does not revise the pay you'll they'll be bleeding pilots and even cadets will leave for others and not forget foreign carriers are actively recruiting them and willing to pay off their bond. Edited by jahur

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If mab does not revise the pay you'll they'll be bleeding pilots and even cadets will leave for others and not forget foreign carriers are actively recruiting them and willing to pay off their bond.

 

Yes, it is a tough issue for the management to grapple with.

 

But low pay is not just an MAB problem - it is happening everywhere in Malaysia. MAB's added complexity is that it has to compete with Airasia and other Malaysian and overseas employers.

Edited by flee

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