MAS Set To Receive 35 New Boeing 737-800

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will be operationally more efficient to handle faster turnaround when it take the delivery of 35 new generation Boeing 737-800 within one year, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri. He said the first three aircraft would be delivered this year with the first one to arrive in October while the rest in stages until October next year. The fuel efficient 737-800 with the capacity of 150 seats is bigger than B737-400 and is set to replace MAS' aging fleet and expand its operations, he told Bernama.

"I believe the arrival of the new aircraft will enable MAS to provide better and more efficient domestic service, especially in the Sabah and Sarawak sectors. "I am confident that the flight's on-time performance rate will improve to around 80 per cent with the new aircraft in service," he said when commenting on passenger complaints on flights delay. "The purchase of a younger fleet is justified due to growing number of passengers and tourists if we want MAS to continue to be the airline of choice," he added. Abdul Rahim urged consumers to plan their air travel to take advantage of the MAS "all-time low fares" campaign.