MAS to boost regional network with new ATRs
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has signed a deal with ATR for the purchase of 36 brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft, to be operated by its regional subsidiaries Firefly and MASWings.
Valued at MYR3 billion (US$981 million), the order will significantly expand the fleets of the two regional carriers. Firefly, which offers domestic and international services from Peninsular Malaysia, will receive 20 of the new aircraft, more than doubling its current fleet of 12 ATRs. MASWings meanwhile, which serves Eastern Malaysia, will take delivery of the other 16 aircraft, adding to its current fleet of 10 aircraft.
“The [ATR 72-600] turboprop is… reputed to be one of the most fuel efficient aircraft in existence, hence resulting in lower carbon emissions. This is favourably in line with Firefly’s value of being an environmental-friendly airline. The ATR is also superior in terms of the aircraft technological dynamics and its excellent economics for short hops of our network,” said Ignatius Ong, Firefly’s CEO.
MAS is planning a major expansion of its regional operations over the next five years, with Firefly focusing on Peninsular growth zones such as Johor, Subang, Penang and Kota Bahru, and MASWings looking to broaden its reach into across Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, Kalimantan and the southern Philippines, from its hubs at Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
“The new aircraft for MASwings fleet will be timely to provide more feeder traffic into the hubs of Kuching and Kota Kinabalu for onward connectivity to the jet destinations served by Malaysia Airlines,” said Captain Mohd Nawawi Bin Awang, Managing Director of MASWings.
The new ATR 72-600s are expected to be delivered gradually from the second quarter of next year.