Malaysia Airlines is evaluating a potential investment in aircraft from Chinese manufacturer COMAC as part of a strategic fleet renewal and expansion into China's emerging cities, aiming to enhance connectivity between China and the ASEAN region.
Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), the Chinese commercial aircraft maker known for developing the C919 jumbo jet, has traditionally focused on the domestic market, but selling aircraft to Malaysia Airlines would mark a significant step toward the internationalization of China's aviation manufacturing industry.
The C919 is a narrow-body passenger aircraft with a maximum capacity of 192 seats. It completed its first commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing in May 2023.
Izham Ismail, managing director of Malaysia Airlines, discussed the company's plans and the rationale behind considering COMAC's aircraft in an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Shanghai. He emphasized a need to prioritize investment in newer, more efficient aircraft to elevate customer experience.
"We are continuing to evaluate. COMAC aircraft is a very interesting airplane and, in my opinion, it is a very strong proposition to reset the marketplace, which is predominantly driven by two aircraft manufacturers, and with COMAC coming into play, it is very interesting indeed. First and foremost, Malaysia Airlines has been deploying aged airplanes -- old airplanes. We have not been investing ourselves over the last two decades, and Malaysia Airlines today is investing in ourselves to ensure that we deliver the best customer experience. And we are agnostic to aircraft type. It must be, of course, safe, reliable, and most importantly, commercially the best deal for Malaysia Airlines, so based on that context, COMAC is in play and we are seriously evaluating this aircraft type," he said.
Malaysia Airlines plans to boost its presence in the Chinese market, but a shortage of aircraft currently limits its expansion, according to the managing director.
"We will be launching Chengdu in January. That brings Malaysia Airlines visibility into the Chinese market about 60 times a week, and we are seriously evaluating Shenzhen, and we expect to launch Shenzhen sometime next year. So the limitation today is that Malaysia Airlines doesn't have enough airplanes. Henceforth, circulating back to why are we evaluating COMAC, COMAC can also promise early delivery of aircraft, so that's one proposition that we're looking at," he said.
The implementation of a reciprocal visa-free policy between China and Malaysia in mid-July has led to a surge in bilateral travel, boosting not only tourism but also trade and commerce.
However, Malaysia Airlines sees Kuala Lumpur not just as a final destination for Chinese tourists, but as a key transit hub connecting China with other ASEAN countries.
"The core objective of Malaysia Airlines is to facilitate connectivity between ASEAN and China, not only inducing traffic flow outbound from China, but most importantly to induce traffic flow inbound into China, bringing not only tourists but businesses, small-scale and medium-sized entrepreneurs coming into China. China has huge potential, and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur, as a hub, is able to feed the ASEAN region as far as Australia, India, South Asia to feed into China. So it is actually both ways. It's not only Malaysia Airlines getting tourists or customers coming out from China, but most importantly, it's reciprocal -- inducing inbound into China as well -- to induce trade into China," he said.
Malaysia Airlines evaluates purchase of COMAC jets to expand China routes
