KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) is looking to fully resume its in-flight food service by November 15, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
In response to a parliamentary question raised by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Loke explained that Brahim’s Food Services (BFS) had initially terminated its long-standing partnership with MAB on July 1 but subsequently reversed the decision, agreeing to extend its services until August 31.
Loke said following this, MAB implemented a contingency plan, creating MAG Catering (MCAT) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) due to the unfeasibility of transitioning to a large-scale supplier.
He said the alternative caterer, POS Aviation, operates on a smaller scale and cannot immediately match the volume of MAB’s daily food service, which includes 40,000 meals on flights departing from Kuala Lumpur.
“MCAT has been established as a temporary distribution centre at KLIA to manage the packaging of food and beverage items by their respective suppliers, as well as to deliver food boxes to aircraft using high-lift trucks,” Loke said in a written reply.
“This operation adheres to the standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and is certified by the local health authority for cleanliness, environment and compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.”
In recent months, MAB has drawn public criticism over the “subpar” in-flight food experience, following its parent company Malaysia Aviation Group’s (MAG) decision to end the 26-year partnership between MAB and BFS.
This dissatisfaction arises following the airline’s announcement that passengers are allowed to bring their own meals on board for affected routes due to a transition to a new catering service provider on September 3.
On August 30, MAG said it would activate its business continuity plan for in-flight meal services on selected routes under Malaysia Airlines effective September 1, following the end of its contract extension with BFS on August 31.
The long-standing contract between MAB and BFS reportedly ended after extensive negotiations between the two parties since the fourth quarter of last year did not result in an amicable agreement.
In the latest update, Loke also said that the option for passengers to bring their own food as an alternative is temporary and should align with international regulations regarding prohibited goods.
Loke said during this transition, MAB remains committed to providing quality food to all passengers. Full and hot meals will be gradually reintroduced on affected routes.
“MAB aims to have the service fully restored by November 15.” — October 17, 2023