MASkargo looking at narrow-body planes

The cargo arm of Malaysia Airlines has not made a final decision yet, but is considering models such as B777Fs, B767Fs, A330Fs and A300-600Fs

MALAYSIA Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo), the cargo arm of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), is mulling over introducing narrow-body freighters to its fleet to offset the high cost of jet fuel.

Managing director Shahari Sulaiman said it is considering models such as B777Fs, B767Fs, A330Fs and A300-600Fs.

"We have not made a final decision yet, but if implemented, the narrow-body freighters will complement MASkargo's existing network," he told Business Times.

"We are now at the planning stage for studying the viability of introducing narrow-body freighter operations," he added.

MASkargo currently has a fleet of six wide-body aircraft, comprising four 747-200Fs wet-leased from Air Atlanta and two 747-400Fs dry-leased from Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd.

MASkargo plans to replace the four B747-200Fs in two to two-and-a-half years' time. The wet lease expires in 2010.

With jet fuel prices shattering records just about every week, MASkargo aims to continue with its cost-efficiency initiatives, which include freighter network improvements via shorter flight paths to reduce flight time, and in favour of more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Since the end of February, MASkargo has diverted 70 per cent of its flights into Europe to Uzbekistan, which allowed the company to serve the same market at a much reduced cost.

"The concept is, since the fuel price has increased so much in recent months and is anticipated to remain at this level or even increase further, we feel that some stations that are served in our network could be served in a more cost-effective manner using twin engine operations instead of four engine operations," Shahari said.

Industry observers have forecast that the largest growth in the freighter market in the next 20 years will come in the narrow body or mid-sized aircraft market.

MASkargo interest in narrow body aircraft also stems from the expected boom in freighter traffic after the liberalisation of skies in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in January 2009.

With greater accessibility, and without the need to apply for traffic rights, the liberalisation of air cargo in Asean will provide better opportunities for MASkargo to penetrate new markets.