Date: December 22, 2024
Malaysia Airlines’ ambitious upgrade to its fleet has hit turbulence, as its brand-new Airbus A330neo experienced technical malfunctions just days after entering service. The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, completed its maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne on December 19 but has since been grounded for at least 48 hours.
Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, disclosed that three significant issues arose from substandard factory production and delivery quality. He described the situation as both “embarrassing” and detrimental to the airline’s reputation, emphasizing that safety remains a priority.
The technical faults, including engine and hydraulic system complications, disrupted operations during the peak holiday season. Malaysia Airlines had to cancel flight MH149 to Melbourne on December 21, opting to deploy another aircraft model for future flights.
Airbus expressed its commitment to supporting Malaysia Airlines in addressing these challenges. Despite the setbacks, Izham urged the manufacturers to investigate and resolve the root causes to prevent further disruptions.
Source: Malay Mail