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Malaysia Airlines

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Malaysia Airlines (MAS)
Penerbangan Malaysia
File:MalaysiaAirlinesLogo New.jpg
IATA ICAO Callsign
MH MAS MALAYSIAN
Founded1947 (as Malayan Airways)
HubsKL International Airport
Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Secondary hubsKuching International Airport
Focus citiesPenang International Airport
Frequent-flyer programEnrich by Malaysia Airlines
Grads
AllianceN/A
Fleet size95 (Including 6 Orders)[1]
Destinations79
Parent companyPenerbangan Malaysia Berhad
HeadquartersKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key peopleIdris Jala (Managing Director & CEO)
Websitehttp://www.malaysiaairlines.com

Malaysia Airlines (Abbreviated: MAS ; Malay: Penerbangan Malaysia) Hanyu Pinyin: Málaixīya Hángkōng Gōngsī; abbreviated 马航)is the national airline of Malaysia, serving international and domestic destinations. It is one of only five airlines to have been awarded a 5-star rating by Skytrax besides Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

History

Main article: History of Malaysia Airlines

The airline started operations in 1947 with the name Malayan Airways, changing to Malaysian Airways after the formation of Malaysia. With the withdrawal of Singapore from Malaysia, Malaysian Airways changed its name into Malaysia-Singapore Airlines. Political drifts between Malaysia and Singapore governments resulted in the airline company splitting into separate entities, Malaysian Airlines System and Singapore Airlines. In 1987, Malaysian Airlines System rebranded into Malaysia Airlines.

Corporate info

Malaysia Airlines is listed on the stock exchange of Bursa Malaysia under the name Malaysian Airline System Berhad. Its parent company is Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad. The airline has suffered high losses over the years as a result of fuel price increases and poor management. The Government of Malaysia overhauled the operations of the airline and Idris Jala was appointed as the new CEO in 1 December 2005. Under his leadership, Malaysia Airlines unveiled its Business Turnaround Plan (BTP) in February 2006 which highlighted low yield, an inefficient network and low productivity (overstaffing). The airline headquarters building in downtown Kuala Lumpur has been sold. The new corporate headquarters is now at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.

Group structure

MASkargo
File:MalaysiaAirlinesLogo GoldenHolidaysNew.jpg
Golden Holidays

Malaysia Airlines has over 20 subsidiaries and associates including:

Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn. Bhd. - 100%
Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn. Bhd. is a cargo division of Malaysia Airlines and commercially known as MASkargo. It is a cargo carrier based in Advanced Cargo Center in KL International Airport.
Main Article: MASkargo
MAS Aerotechnologies Sdn. Bhd. - 100%
MAS Aerotechnologies Sdn. Bhd. is an engineering and maintenance division of Malaysia Airlines also known as Malaysian Airlines' Engineering and Maintenance Division. Malaysian Airlines' Engineering and Maintenance Division offers aircraft maintenance, calibration services, engineering & maintenance training and total engineering & maintenance support to various airline customers, among them are KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Royal Brunei Airlines.
MAS Academy Sdn. Bhd. - 100%
MAS Academy Sdn. Bhd. is a training facility of Malaysia Airlines built for human factors and resources development. The MAS Academy is a training facility for employees. MAS Academy also provides training for other organisations in airline operations and other related sectors.
MAS Golden Holidays Sdn. Bhd. - 100%
MAS Golden Holidays Sdn. Bhd. is a division of Malaysia Airlines. Known as Golden Holidays, the division is responsible for marketing and selling Malaysia Airlines holiday packages and tours.

FireFly

File:Firefly logo.png
Firefly
Main article: Firefly (airline)

Firefly is a low cost airlines which is a wholly subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines but to be managed by Flyfirefly Sdn. Bhd. The airline flies two daily services out of Penang International Airport to Kota Bahru, Langkawi, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu, plus daily services to Phuket and Koh Samui in southern Thailand.[2][3]

Corporate image

File:MalaysiaAirlinesCabinCrew 001.jpg
Uniform for male & female cabin crew
File:MalaysiaAirlinesCabinCrew 002.jpg
Cabin crews of Malaysia Airlines
Female uniform - Sarong Kebaya
The design of the Sarong Kebaya was introduced on 1 March 1986. It was designed by the School of Fashion at Mara Institute of Technology (Malay: Institut Teknologi Mara) and later known as Mara University of Technology (Malay: Universiti Teknologi Mara). The design reflects the Malaysian culture. The batik material depicts the kelarai motif which is a bamboo weave pattern. It appears in the background in subdued hues of the basic uniform colour. Superimposed on the kelarai motif is a mixture of local flora such as the cempaka, jasmine and the leaves of the hibiscus. The geometric Sarawakian motif is used for the lapels of the baju, edges of sleeves and the sarong.
On 1 January 1993, the colors of the batik were enhanced to complement the color of the male cabin crew's new uniform.
Color Code
  • Sarong Kebaya with yellow flowers are for the Inflight Supervisors.
  • Sarong Kebaya with pink flowers are for the Chief Stewardesses, Leading Stewardesses and Flight Stewardesses.
  • Sarong Kebaya with magenta flowers are for the ground frontliners.
Male uniform - Classic & Service Jackets
Male cabin crews are required to wear the classic jacket whenever they are outside the aircraft with some exceptions. However, onboard the aircraft, male cabin crews with the exception of male In-flight Supervisors are required to wear the service jacket. The male uniforms are color-coded.
Color Code
  • Dark shade Ottanio color jackets are for Inflight Supervisors, Chief Stewards, Leading Stewards and Flight Stewards.
  • Light shade Ottanio color jackets are for male ground frontliners.
Winged Tiger
File:MalaysiaAirlinesLogo 1947.jpg
1947-1965: Winged Tiger
The history of the airline started in 1937 when Malayan Airways Limited was registered as a company. Flying operations started in 1947, with the aircraft bearing the symbol of a Winged Tiger. In 1963, the airline was renamed Malaysian Airways Limited when the Federation of Malaysia was formed. Subsequently, Borneo Airways Limited was absorbed by Malaysian Airways Limited.
MSA
In 1965, with the political separation of Singapore from Malaysia, there was continued participation by the governments of Malaysia and Singapore in the airline. In 1967 the company changed its name to Malaysia-Singapore Airline Limited (MSA), which was the joint national air carrier for both countries, and a new logo was introduced.
Moon Kite
File:MalaysiaAirlinesLogo 1971.jpg
1971-1987: The original moon kite
File:MalaysiaAirlinesLogo New.jpg
since 1987
In 1971, Malaysia-Singapore Airline Limited was separated into two airlines, each with its own policies and objectives, leading to the birth of Malaysia's flag carrier, Malaysian Airline System (MAS) on 3 April 1971. The name was chosen because, in abbreviated form, MAS(as in EMAS) in Malay means gold, to symbolize quality service.
Current logo (since 1987)
A new corporate logo designed by Mara Institute of Technology (Malay: Institut Teknologi Mara) later known as Mara University of Technology (Malay: Universiti Teknologi Mara) was introduced on 15 October 1987, retaining the essence of the moon kite, with a sheared swept-back look for a more aerodynamic posture.
Along with the new corporate logo, a new type style - MALAYSIA, was created. . It is italicized to slant parallel with the logo to accentuate speed as well as direction. Within this corporate typestyle, the alphabets MAS bear red clippings to denote initials of the statutory name of the airline, Malaysian Airline System (MAS) were added after the original design was rejected by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. The introduction of blue to the original red logo) has national significance. The red and blue divides equally in the mid-spine to connote equilibrium.

Destinations

Main article: Malaysia Airlines destinations

Under the Business Turnaround Plan (BTP), Malaysia Airlines began restructuring. The plan is based on the hub-and-spoke approach and the new Domestic Rationalism Policy announced by the Government. This resulted in Malaysia Airlines’ domestic routes being restructured from 118 to 22 routes and international routes from 114 to 90.

The domestic restructuring plan began in August 2006, whilst the restructuring of the international sector is being implemented in phases. Phase one - rerouted flights via KL International Airport as the primary hub and phase two, which required routes to be axed after exhaustive route profitability are completed.

File:Masblue.jpg
Malaysia Airlines: Boeing 777-200ER

The plan is not just to reduce the airline flights but also to improve connectivity and frequency on targeted routes. Previously, Malaysia Airlines only operated 2 daily waves of flight arrivals and departures, but from August 2006, the airline operated 4 waves of flight per day. The airline also launched its new flight schedules effective August 2006 to ensure better connectivity.

International
As of August 2006, Malaysia Airlines flies to 60 destinations to all six inhabited continents in the world plus 16 destinations within Malaysia. In cooperation with codeshare partner airlines, the airline serves a further 23 destinations worldwide. It was the first airline in Southeast Asia to fly to South Africa following the demise of apartheid and the only airline in the region that serves South America via its services to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Domestic
The implementation of Domestic Rationalism Policy in August 2006, saw Malaysia Airlines lose its non-trunk domestic routes and it will operate only 19 trunk routes within Malaysia. The national carrier operates 7 trunk routes between KL International Airport (KLIA) and Peninsular Malaysia cities, 6 trunk routes between KLIA and Sabah/Sarawak, and 6 trunk routes within Sabah and Sarawak. However, in July 2006, Malaysia Airlines will fly to 3 additional non-trunk routes increasing its domestic routes to 22.
Rural Air Services
From its creation, up until 31 July 2006, Malaysia Airlines provided air links between remote areas of East Malaysia and its urban centers through Rural Air Services (RAS). Using the 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft, Malaysia Airlines provided services to the airstrips in Bakalalan, Bario, Belaga, Kudat, Lawas, Limbang, Mukah, Long Akah, Long Banga, Long Lelang, Long Seridan, Marudi, Mulu and Tomanggong. The loss making RAS was inherited by Malaysia Airlines through the creation of Malaysian Airline System (MAS), from 1971 until 2006. The service is now operated by FlyAsianXpress but will soon be taken over by Firefly, a low cost airlines which is a wholly subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines.

Codeshare partners

Flight numbers

Malaysia Airlines flight numbers are allocated according to geographical regions. In general, even-numbered flight numbers are outbound from Malaysia.

Fleet

Main article: Malaysia Airlines Fleet
File:Malaysia First Class.jpg
Malaysia Airlines new first class
File:Malaysia Business Class.jpg
Malaysia Airlines new business class
Malaysia Airlines: Boeing 747-400 in standard livery
Malaysia Airlines: Boeing 777-200ER in "Heliconia" livery
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-400 in special "Hibiscus" livery

Current fleet

The airline flies Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200 and Airbus A330 aircraft mainly for medium to long haul international routes, while the Boeing 737-400 is often used for shorter international and domestic flights departed from KL International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Penang International Airport and Kuching International Airport. The Malaysia Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Passenger Aircraft
Aircraft Type Model Series # in Service # of Seats/Seat Pitch (") Total # of Seats Routes
First Business Economy
Boeing
747-400		 747-4H6 13 12/80" 41/58" 306/34" 359 Long Haul
International
18 50 316 384
Boeing
777-200		 777-2H6ER 17 0 35 247/34" 282 Long Haul
International
Airbus A330-300 A330-322 11 0 44/45" 250/34" 294 Short-Medium Haul
International/Regional/Domestic
0 42 256 298
0 42 260 302
Airbus A330-200 A330-223 3 0 42/62" 187/32" 229 Medium-Long Haul
International/Regional
0 42/62" 190/32" 232
Boeing
737-400		 737-4H6 39 0 16/36" 128/32" 144 Short Haul
Domestic/Regional
Freighter Aircraft
Aircraft Type Model Series # in Service Cargo Capacity
(kg)		 Remarks
Boeing 747-400F 747-4H6F 02 120,000 Freighter aircraft
Boeing 747-200F 747-236B
747-2F6B		 04 100,000 Freighter aircraft
Color Legend:
RNSD aircraft. Flat bed/Lie flat Seats Dry leased aircraft from ILFC Wet leased aircraft from Air Atlanta Icelandic

Notes

-RNSD aircraft is a refurbished aircraft with brand new cabin features.
-As of August 2006, the average age of Malaysia Airlines' fleet was 11 years.

Future fleet

In 2003, Malaysia Airlines' parent company Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB) signed a deal for 6 Airbus A380-800 aircraft. The first A380-800 was to be delivered in early 2007 under a lease deal from its parent company Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB). However, in October 2006, Airbus parent company EADS said that the A380 will be delayed for another year.

Aircraft on Order
Aircraft Type Model Series # on Order Delivery Date Notes
Airbus A380-800 A380-841 06 TBA -

On April 26, 2007, MAS has requested for proposal (RFP) to Boeing and Airbus for up to 55 aircraft to replace the 737-400s.[6]

On April 28, 2007, Idris Jala announced that they are looking at three options that may be undertaken in regards to the for the future of the A380 order. They are:

  • a compensation payment for the delay in delivery of the superjumbos,[7]
  • cancelling the order, or
  • swapping the A380s for other Airbus aircraft.

Nevertheless, they have yet to decide on the matter. However, MAS parent company Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad is still under talks with Airbus parent company EADS for the compensation of the A380 delay.[8]

Historic fleet

List of aircraft that Malaysia Airlines and its predecessor companies flew in past.

Historic Fleet
Aircraft Type # of Aircraft Terminated from Operation Notes
Airbus A300 6 July 1995 -
Airbus A310] 1 October 1990 -
Airbus A330-200 2 - 3 still in service
Airbus A330-300 3 - 11 still in service
Airspeed Consul Unknown Unknown -
Boeing 707 10 February 1980 -
Boeing 737-100 5 September 1972 -
Boeing 737-200 23 March 1988 -
Boeing 737-400 34 - 39 still in service
Boeing 737-500 9 October 2000 -
Boeing 737-700 BBJ 1 June 2003 -
Boeing 737-800 2 March 2006 Leased out from Travel Service Airlines.
Boeing 747-200 4 March 2005 -
Boeing 747-300 1 April 2002 -
Boeing 747-400 8 - 13 still in service
Briston Britannia Unknown Unknown -
Britten Norman Islander 4 Unknown -
De Havilland Canada Comet 8 Unknown -
De Havilland Canada DHC Beaver Unknown Unknown -
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 7 August 2006 -
Fokker F27 20 Unknown -
Fokker F50 12 August 2006 -
Douglas DC-3 Unknown Unknown -
Douglas DC-4 Unknown Unknown -
Lockheed Super Constellation Unknown Unknown -
McDonnell Douglas DC10 6 March 2000 -
McDonnell Douglas MD11 6 March 2000 -
Twin Pioneers 2 Unknown -
Vickers Viscount Unknown Unknown -

In-flight entertainment

Select is the in-flight entertainment system of Malaysia Airlines. Passengers can choose over 500 hours of audio and video programming. With 200 music CDs and 40 movies on-demand available, passengers can start, stop, forward and rewind their selected programme at will. A touch screen personal TV is available for First Class passengers and Golden Club Class (Business Class) on board Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

Loyalty programmes

Main article: Enrich Loyalty Programme

Malaysia Airlines has 2 loyalty programmes, Grads for Students by Malaysia Airlines (Grads) and Enrich by Malaysia Airlines (Enrich). Grads is a loyalty programme with benefits designed for students. Enrich by Malaysia Airlines is a travel reward programme for frequent travellers that comprises a variety of airlines, banks, credit card issuers, hotels and lifestyle retailers around the world.

Awards

Main article: Malaysia Airlines Awards From 1998

Malaysia Airlines has won numerous awards from international organizations, such as Skytrax.

Incidents & accidents

Malaysia Airlines is accredited by IATA with the IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit).

  • 18 December 1983 - An Airbus A300-B4 (OY-KAA) leased from Scandinavian Airlines as Flight 684 crashed 2km short of the runway in Subang on a flight from Singapore. No fatalities but the aircraft was written off.
  • 15 September 1995 - A Fokker F50 (9M-MGHdisaster) crashed during approach in Tawau, Sabah due to wind shear. 34 passengers were killed.
  • 15 March 2000 - A Airbus A330-300 (9M-MKB) hit by chemical called "hydroxy quino-line" which leaked from several canisters when unloading and causing damage to the fuselage. The 5 year old Airbus was damaged and beyond economical repair.
  • 1 August 2005 - A Boeing 777-200ER (9M-MRG) made an emergency landing in Perth after the fly-by-wire primary flight control and autopilot failed to operate.
  • 3 November 2006- A Boeing 777-200 (9M-MRI) Departing Stockholm-Arlanda Airport made an emergency landing at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport after the airplane engine exploded. No one was injured on the plane nor on the ground.

References

  1. ^ Malaysia Airlines Fleet Status
  2. ^ FireFly, a new subsidary of Malaysia Airlines
  3. ^ Malaysia's First Community Airline, FireFly
  4. ^ Alitalia & Mas in code share agreement
  5. ^ MAS, SAA sign code share agreement
  6. ^ Malaysia Airlines invites Airbus, Boeing to bid for new planes - report
  7. ^ Airbus To Compensate MAS For Delay In Delivery Of A380 Superjumbo
  8. ^ Options undertaken in regards to the delay of A380
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