SINGAPORE: Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG) has but to decide on its Airbus A380-800 superjumbos which are still put up for sale, its group chief govt officer, Captain Izham Ismail mentioned.

“We are in conversations with potential patrons. There are inquiries and that is still confidential,” he instructed reporters when requested on the standing of the group’s six A380-800 plane.

Izham was met on the sidelines of Aviation Festival Asia 2022 the place he was one of many panelists talking on a subject titled “Flying with confidence – what subsequent for airways in Asia?” right here right this moment.

MAG, a mother or father of nationwide provider Malaysia Airlines, had on July 12, 2021, issued a young discover for events to accumulate its A380 plane and/or parts.

The sale follows the group’s determination to exit its A380 fleet, publish a restructuring train that was accomplished in March 2021.

The group follows the due course of in evaluating submissions by potential bidders and expects to finish the train within the fourth quarter of 2021.

MAG’s wholly-owned unit, MAB Pesawat Sdn Bhd is tasked with conducting an open tender for the sale of the plane and/or its parts whereby events ought to ship their proposals by Aug 12, 2021.

Izham mentioned all of the six superjumbos have been at present grounded.

Asked about manpower crunch within the aviation trade globally, Izham mentioned it has considerably affected airways to extend their capability.

He mentioned some worldwide airports have been going through a scarcity of sources and thus airways couldn’t put up capability even when that they had airplanes.

“Some airways have put their plane on long-term parking (throughout the pandemic) and now they’re bringing them again. It will not be in a single day because it takes 30-90 days to carry it to service. Those are the challenges that airways are going through,” he mentioned.

“MAS (Malaysia Airlines) is lucky to have a really collective determination to not retrench our individuals throughout the pandemic. What we did was we decreased senior govt salaries to assist the decrease incomes.. everyone is undamaged with us.

“We knew quite how dangerous (the scenario was), we’d like them when the pandemic is over. We didn’t let go of anyone. MAS is beneath management. We have pilots.. we have now obtained every little thing,” he mentioned.

Izham mentioned the group “is speaking with the airport operator aggressively. MAHB (Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd).. we’re fairly shut collectively.”

He famous that MAG had additionally made a “very cautious determination that we didn’t need to put our plane on a long-term parking.”

Izham mentioned the group at present has a fleet of 102 planes of which Malaysia Airlines has 87, whereas the steadiness is working beneath MASwings and Firefly’s manufacturers.

“MAS will not be a giant airline. All our fleets are literally flying… it has been flying even throughout the pandemic,” he mentioned.

Izham mentioned the airline goals for its capability to be about 76 per cent by year-end.

“We are actually 50 per cent (capability). Today, MAS’ passenger flown is 30 per cent higher than our forecast,” he added.

In April, it was reported that MAG was planning to extend its plane capability by a further 15 per cent on prime of the 20 per cent of the pre-COVID-19 stage projected for the month, in mild of Malaysian borders reopening on April 1. – Bernama