KUALA LUMPUR – While assuring that airlines under the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) continue to operate safely, managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail has insisted that recent reductions in flight operations are a standard industry response.
Despite facing recent operational challenges, including unscheduled landings, the national carrier is also pressing ahead with plans to introduce new routes, including the resumption of its Kuala Lumpur–Paris service from March next year.
Speaking at the Malaysia International Trade Exhibition Centre (Mitec) during Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair 2024, Izham clarified that MAG is adjusting its capacity to mitigate risks from unprofitable routes, as it navigates rising fuel costs and fluctuating market conditions.
These challenges, he explained, are further compounded by global supply chain disruptions, delays in the delivery of new aircraft, and setbacks in engine maintenance.
“To ensure operation sustainability, we made the difficult decision to reduce capacity by 20%.
“This is a normal move as other airlines as well to manage their capacity by varying it as much as 10%.
“We understand it may cause frustration but it’s necessary to align with our long-term vision where our focus is to prioritise passengers without compromising safety,” Izham said.
Responding to reports of recent emergency landings involving Malaysia Airlines flights, Izham clarified that it would be inaccurate to categorise those incidents as emergencies.
“There were two emergency landings this year. (The more recent ones) are called ‘non-normal diversions.
“Emergency landings are for situations where there’s a fire or a life or death situation.
“A non-normal diversion is where the pilot exercises discretion and diverts for safety reasons,” Izham said.
He assured that the decision to reduce flights is only a temporary measure and outlined plans to bolster MAG’s operations in the coming years.
Currently, MAG is collaborating with original equipment manufacturers to ensure a steady supply of spare parts and is awaiting the delivery of five Airbus A330neo aircraft, which will be deployed on routes to Japan, Australia, and India.
“Transformation of an organisation does not happen overnight. It’s a series of challenges we have to take head-on.
“Our leadership does not hide behind the curtain. We want to be a strong and great airline operator by 2025 and the journey has already begun,” Izhad explained.
In an earlier announcement, Izham confirmed that Malaysia Airlines will resume its Kuala Lumpur to Paris route in March next year. The airline’s sole remaining European destination is London, following its restructuring in 2016.
Recently, MAG announced that Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and Amal would reduce flights until December as part of efforts to address ongoing operational issues faced by the group. – September 6, 2024