Malaysian Airline Plans

Malaysia Airlines plans maintenance Hub in India :

Malaysia Airlines said Wednesday it has teamed up with the operator of India 's Hyderabad airport to set up an aircraft maintenance hub to capitalize on India's fast-growing aviation market. It is the airline's first such overseas venture and part of its efforts to boost income as it reels from high jet fuel cost. This has resulted in an explosion in the number of international airlines flying to India. Here is a brief preview of international airlines in India. Know about new Plans of Canada Airlines, Under the pact with GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd., the Malaysian flag carrier said a maintenance, repair and overhaul center would be established to service narrow and wide-bodied aircraft at the new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport .

There are currently some 300 aircraft in operation in India , with more than 200 new planes expected to take to the sky in the next two years and up to 2,000 new planes over the next decade, the airline said in a statement. Currently, most of the aircraft are sent to Malaysia and other maintenance centers overseas for heavy maintenance, it said.

 

"The timing of this partnership is perfect as the Indian market is experiencing b aircraft growth with manufacturers bullish on aircraft orders," said the Malaysia Airlines' Chief Financial Officer Azmil Zahruddin.

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The airline will provide technical and management expertise in the joint venture with GMR Hyderabad, he said.

GMR Hyderabad Corporate Communications Manager Shankar Chelluri said the maintenance hub, which will be able to handle all types of aircraft from light jets to super jumbos such as the Airbus A380, is expected to be launched by the third quarter of 2009.Investment and operational details are still being finalized, he added.

GMR Hyderabad is 63 percent owned by India 's GMR Infrastructure Ltd. The Airports Authority of India and the Andhra Pradesh government each hold a 13 percent stake, while Malaysia Airports Holding owns 11 percent.

Malaysia Airlines is a leading player in the aircraft maintenance and repair business. Its current hub in Malaysia is one of the biggest in Southeast Asia , serving some 80 customers.

The airline, which returned to profitability last year after two years of losses, is seeking to augment its revenue after being hit by high oil prices and weaker travel demand. It has managed to stay in the black so far this year, but its profit in the second quarter was down 65 percent compared with the same period a year ago.