Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines Bhd, will take delivery of the remaining 19 Airbus A330neo aircraft gradually from this month until 2026. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah announced that both Airbus and Rolls Royce have been instructed to implement stricter quality control measures for the new aircraft deliveries.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia Airlines is committed to ensuring that the production quality of the ordered aircraft meets the highest standards, with a strong focus on passenger and crew safety. This assurance comes following an incident where Malaysia Airlines temporarily suspended operations of its newly-received Airbus A330neo on December 19 due to technical issues.

Hasbi noted that the first Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330neo, which was grounded for 48 hours in December due to a faulty component, has since resumed operations. The aircraft has successfully completed 101 flights without issues, serving routes to Melbourne, Kota Kinabalu, Doha, Kuching, and Kansai (Japan).

MAG currently has one spare engine for the Airbus A330neo and expects to receive three additional spare engines starting from the third quarter of 2025. The first A330neo aircraft was temporarily grounded on December 22 and 23 due to technical issues linked to Airbus and Rolls Royce.

Globally, aircraft manufacturers are encountering production quality issues, primarily due to shortages of raw materials needed for spare parts and a lack of skilled labor in the manufacturing sector. Previously, Malaysia Airlines suspended operations of the aircraft for at least 48 hours following its maiden flight to Melbourne on December 19. The aircraft, equipped with the latest engine technology from Rolls Royce, faced technical issues that raised concerns about the quality of its production and delivery processes.