Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, has proudly received its first Airbus A330-900 (A330neo) aircraft as part of its fleet modernisation strategy. The aircraft, equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, marks a significant step towards enhancing MAG’s long-haul capabilities.
The A330neo, registered as 9M-MNG, departed from Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France on 28 November 2024 at 8:52pm local time. It arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) on 29 November 2024 at 4:52pm local time, escorted by a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jet. The aircraft’s arrival was celebrated with a water salute.
Flight MH5039, with a flight time of 13 hours, was operated by Captains Khairul Syukri Khalid, Azim Sham Che Din, Zainuddin Hussein, and Najwan Reshan Nahdan Rengganathan. The new A330neo will serve long-haul routes across Asia and Australasia.
The aircraft features 28 Business Class seats with fully-flat beds, direct aisle access, and 17.3-inch high-definition screens. The Economy Cabin offers 269 ergonomically designed seats with 13.3-inch HD entertainment systems capable of 4K content. The A330neo promises a premium in-flight experience with advanced features and a focus on passenger comfort.
In August 2022, MAG signed agreements with Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Avolon to acquire 20 A330neo aircraft, to be delivered through to 2028. MAG is the 20th operator to join the global fleet of the fuel-efficient A330neo, with Airbus having delivered over 140 units to date. The new aircraft underscores MAG’s commitment to greener, more efficient aviation.
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Photo credits: Malaysia Airlines and Airbus
Published by Tim Chew
