MAG eyes higher reach in China

Malaysian airline operator to optimize aircraft fleet, tap into second-tier cities

Malaysia Aviation Group, parent company of Malaysia Airlines, plans to expand its presence in China by ramping up frequencies on core routes and launching direct services to second-tier cities over the next three years, said its top executive.

"Our Destination 2030 fleet plan will power this expansion," said Izham Ismail, group managing director of MAG, adding that the group will continue to evaluate its future fleet options, including aircraft from Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd, manufacturer of narrowbody aircraft C909 regional jet and C919.

As part of its fleet modernization plan, the group recently acquired an additional 18 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, in addition to 12 Boeing 737-10 as part of phase two of its narrowbody fleet renewal.