Malaysia Airlines cuts 20% flights through the end of 2024 due to operational constraints

Malaysia Airlines Group (MAG) has announced that it has cut 20% flights through the end of 2024 due to operational constraints. Read on to know more.

Malaysia Airlines cuts 20% capacity

Amid operational constraints, Malaysia Airlines has taken a decision to cut 20% flights through the end of this year. The group says that it “is fully committed to ensuring safe and reliable operations and remains steadfast in focusing their efforts towards stabilising their operations”.

The airline’s reduced network involves cutting 20% capacity, comprising Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Amal’s routes in Domestic Malaysia, ASEAN, North Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Greater China, South Asia and the Middle East.

The group says that post the pandemic, it had been managing its schedules proactively to mitigate challenges including supply chain disruptions. The group says that it “made the decision to carefully restore its capacity taking into consideration the speed of supply chain support”.

The need to take this step is “also contributed by global shortages due to a lack of resources that are causing delays in the production of spare parts by aircraft and parts manufacturers (OEMs)”. This has led to longer turnaround times for engine overhauls and repairs, including for the MAG fleet, which relies on external partners for these services, resulting in lack of engines for its operations. The group says that despite these challenges, it has “maintained the quality of its maintenance work, managing both internally and externally, even with the associated high costs and financial impacts”.

The global shortage of parts has affected the on-time delivery of its new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing, which is affecting the group’s fleet planning. By 2024, MAG was scheduled to receive 17 new aircraft as part of its fleet renewal program. However, to date, MAG has only received four Boeing B737MAX-8 aircraft out of the 13 contractually agreed by 2024. MAG was scheduled to receive four A330neo aircraft but is now expected to receive three by the end of the year as committed by Airbus.

Stay up to date: Sign up for my newsletter to never miss latest Aviation and Travel news.

Additionally, the group says that it has experienced attrition of skilled workforce as new MRO players, both local and international, have entered the Malaysian market and to address this, it is collaborating with partners to augment its manpower and increase its skilled engineering workforce.

We apologise and understand the frustration this has brought to our customers, and wish to assure that our team is working diligently to provide affected customers with compensation options available which include flight reallocations, and full refunds without any penalty charges. Due to the increased traffic we are experiencing at our Global Contact Centre, we encourage passengers to use the ‘My Booking’ feature on our website for quicker service and to check the status of their flights.

MAG said in a statement.

All cancellations completed

Malaysia Airlines today announced that it has completed all the necessary flight cancellations till December 2024 as part of its efforts to bring operational stability.

If you have a booking with Malaysia Airlines and have received a flight cancellation notification, the airline must have informed you of the next step to be taken. If you have not received any notification from the airline, that means your flight will operate as scheduled.

Malaysia Airlines adds that for the latest flight information, passengers can check the “Flight Status” section on its website. Also, passengers can visit the “My Booking” section in case they require support or wish to make changes to their booking.

Featured image by Planespotters.net/flee

What do you think of MAG reducing capacity to overcome operational constraints? Let me know in the comments section below.

Follow IH Aviation and Travel on Social Media on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.