Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is cancelling flights until the end of the year to address ongoing supply chain issues, staff shortages and technical problems, according to a statement from managing director Izham Ismail on August 24. MAG owns and operates Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International), Firefly (FY, Penang) and pilgrimage flight operator Amal by Malaysia Airlines. The cuts follow numerous disruptions experienced by all three airlines last week.
“We are taking immediate action to address the root causes of these significant issues that are contributing to operational difficulties,” the statement said. “MAG has also been impacted by delayed deliveries of new aircraft this year, resulting in fewer aircraft available for operations than planned. We are working closely with our aircraft and engine manufacturers and a variety of suppliers to comprehensively resolve supply chain and technical issues.”
The disruptions included a Malaysian Airlines A330-300 en route from Melbourne Tullamarine to Kuala Lumpur having to make an emergency landing in Alice Springs due to an engine problem and another Malaysia Airlines jet en route to Medina having to return to KLIA, also due to an engine problem.
“MAG must temporarily reduce its network until December 2024 to implement corrective actions if necessary,” the statement continued. “This is to ensure the long-term reliability of our fleet and the robustness of our operations.”
AeroRoutes has announced the following changes to Malaysia’s international network, effective from August 25:
- Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, reduction from 42 to 37 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur–Denpasar reduced from 22 to 18 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur – Ho Chi Minh City, reduction from 20 to 19 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur – Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, reduction from 42 to 40 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur–Jeddah International, reduction from nine to seven weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur – Medan Kuala Namu, reduction from 15 to 12 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur–Mumbai International, reduction from 10 to 9 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur–Osaka Kansai, reduction from seven to six weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur–Seoul Incheon, reduction from 13 to 8 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur – Shanghai Pudong, reduction from 10 to 9 weekly flights
- Kuala Lumpur–Singapore Changi, reduction from 68 to 66 weekly flights;
- Kuala Lumpur – Tokyo Narita, reduced from 12 to 10 weekly; and
- Kuala Lumpur – Yangon, reduced from six to four weekly flights.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke told local news outlets that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) recently conducted an audit of MAG to determine the reasons behind the spate of delays, cancellations and operational problems, and that initial findings would be presented to the country’s cabinet this week.
“We take the events at MAG very seriously,” he said on August 25. “I am in contact with Izham Ismail and have asked him to take all necessary measures to ensure that everything goes smoothly. I have not doubted MAG’s professionalism for a second. I have always believed in their professionalism and that they will do everything to ensure the safety of passengers.”
