MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) (3786) has placed a firm order for 15 Airbus A330-300s with an option for another 10 at a total cost of US$5 billion (US$1 = RM3.44) at catalogue prices.
The aircraft will be delivered from 2011 to 2016.
The national carrier signed a deal with European aircraft maker Airbus for the purchase in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
"The A330 will complement our incoming fleet of six A380s and 35 B737-800s. It will be used to serve the South Asia, China, North Asia and the Middle East markets," MAS managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin told a press conference after the signing ceremony.
"The A380s will (be used to) serve long haul destinations such as London and Sydney, the A330s for medium haul markets and the B737-800s for our domestic and regional routes," Tengku Azmil said.
The airline will see its average fleet age fall to 5.2 years in 2015, from 11.6 years last year, with the arrival of the new aircraft.
Once the 15 A330s are received, MAS expects to gain annual savings of RM300 million.
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