MASkargo to retain A330 freighters; phase out B747s

MASkargo will retain its A330-200Fs while retiring its two B747-400(F)s CEO Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi has said. Reports in the aviation press a year ago had pointed to the Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International) subsidiary shifting its entire operation from maindeck to bellyhold cargo space as part of its parent's ongoing restructuring programme.

However, speaking to Payload Asia, Azmi said the plan had since been revised with MASkargo deciding to focus its operations on regional Asian flights while shifting its longhaul services to Europe to partner carriers.

“We will still continue to be the air cargo carrier for Malaysia with a focus on Southeast Asia, India, China and Japan,” he said. “We will still operate B747 freighters, but not on our metal, that’s the sort of fleet synergy we are looking at. We believe in growing, not organically with our own metal, but through partnerships – that will be the new network philosophy for MASkargo.”

As recently reported, the Malaysian operator signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines (ZP, Baku Heydar Aliev International) focussing on block-space agreements, ground-handling, and line maintenance. In light of Azmi's comments, the agreement will allow MASkargo to continue serving Amsterdam Schiphol using SilkWay metal and via its Baku Heydar Aliev International hub.

Of MASkargo's other further afield destinations, Azmi said talks were currently ongoing with an undisclosed operator concerning a partnership on flights to Sydney Kingsford Smith, Australia, while a return to the Indian commercial hub of Mumbai International was also on the cards given high-yielding pharma traffic there.

MASkargo currently owns four A330-200(F)s of which two currently ply flights throughout Southeast Asia, China, Japan and the Indian Subcontinent while one is currently leased out to Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport) unit Turkish Cargo. Discussions are currently underway to lease out the fourth remaining A330 freighter, currently parked at Kuala Lumpur International.