Malaysia Airlines is close to finalizing a deal with Airbus to replace its existing fleet of 21 A330s to the newer A330neo model.
The airline has A330s and A350s in its fleet and had placed a provisional order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2017, but let the deal lapse, according to Reuters.
Sources told Reuters that the A330neo had been selected as the preferred model. A Malaysia Airlines spokesperson told Reuters that the airline is still “going through the process”, and has not yet made a decision on the A330 replacement.
Malaysia Airlines Chief Executive Izham Ismail told Reuters in June 2022 that the carrier was looking to make a decision on a one-for-one replacement of its A330 fleet by mid to late July 2022.
The A330neo has lower fuel burn and produces less Co2 while flying more range than the previous generation. The use of newer, more efficient jets is one way that airlines are seeking to achieve the net-zero by 2050 goal set by IATA member airlines.