Malaysia Airlines 1st Airbus A330neo Takes 1st Flight
By Rytis Beresnevicius - Journalist | Simple Flying
Malaysia Airlines has shared that its first-ever Airbus A330-900 had operated its first flight, with the airline gearing up for the delivery and introduction of the type into its fleet.
First of many test flights
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Malaysia Airlines shared that its first A330-900 operated its first flight on November 6.
The aircraft, temporarily registered as F-WWCZ, departed Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS) at 14:37 local time (UTC +1), operating a three-hour and 35-minute flight that landed back at the French airport.
This was one of the few test flights that the aircraft would undergo before Airbus delivered it to the Malaysian carrier. For example, before Airbus handed over its most recent A330-900 to Virgin Atlantic on October 25, the aircraft, registered as G-VEYR, had six test flights before its delivery.
According to planespotters.net, the Virgin Atlantic widebody had a temporary registration of F-WWYO, with Flightradar24 data showing that the airframe completed the six test flights between September 12 and October 18.
Following its first test flight, the A330-900 operated its next one on September 20, with another seven days later.
Nevertheless, ch-aviation estimated that Malaysia Airlines should take delivery of its first A330-900 in November. The widebody jet should be registered as 9M-MNG.
Documenting the journey
Over the past few months, Malaysia Airlines has actively documented the journey of its first A330-900 through the production process at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, France.
In May, the carrier showed pictures of the aircraft while it was assembled at its final assembly line (FAL) in France.
“With the main fuselage sections, wings, and tail adorned with the airline’s iconic wau logo fully attached, the aircraft will undergo installation of the cockpit, engines, landing gear, electrical wiring, avionics, and fuel and hydraulic systems.”
In July, the Malaysian carrier teased that the A330-900 was being painted "to reflect the pride of our Malaysia flag livery.” Unfortunately, the airline did not introduce a special livery for the new aircraft.
Renewing its A330 fleet
Malaysia Airlines ordered 20 A330-900 in August 2022, with the airline ordering ten and leasing ten aircraft of the type from Avolon. However, the ten A330-900s that it purchased will all be used in sale-and-leaseback (SLB) transactions with Avolon.
Nevertheless, Izham Ismail, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, said that the A330-900 was a natural transition for its A330ceo fleet. Ch-aviation fleet records showed that the airline has 15 A330-300 and three A330F freighters.
In an update on January 29, Malaysia Airlines said that it was looking forward to welcoming 12 new aircraft in 2024: four A330-900 and eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The first A330-900 was scheduled to arrive in Q3, the airline stated.
However, in a statement on October 15, Malaysia Airlines detailed the delivery of its first A330-900 was delayed due to “findings identified by Airbus during the flight line stage.” As a result, the delivery was pushed back from September to November.
“MAG is working closely with Airbus and its lessor, Avolon, to secure a new delivery timeline and expedite the aircraft’s entry into service. The airline expects to receive five (5) A330neo by Q1 2025.”
So far in 2024, Malaysia Airlines has received two 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with the airline communicating with Boeing and the lessor, Air Lease Corporation (ALC), regarding potential delivery delays.
At the time, the strike by the manufacturer’s machinists was still going on, with over 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 751 and District W24 approving their new contract on November 4.
Do you think Malaysia Airlines will be impacted by further aircraft delivery delays from Airbus and/or Boeing?