Malaysian carriers to purchase 180 aircraft over next 20 years claims Airbus

Airline Industry Information, Nov 8, 1999

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-(C) 1994-9 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Airbus Industrie has said that it expects Malaysian carriers to purchase about 180 aircraft over the next 20 years. The value of these purchases is estimated at USD18bn and the expected acquisitions are based on an annual growth forecast for the Asia-Pacific region of 6.1% and efforts by the Malaysian government to turn the airport at Kuala Lumpur into a regional hub. Airbus said that 100 of the aircraft needed will be to meet increasing demand, while 80 would most likely be used to replace aging fleets. Airbus also expects Malaysia to need some 20 aircraft larger than the 300-400 seat model available, a demand expected to benefit its proposed 600-seat A3XX model aircraft according to Reuters. Airlines currently operating in Malaysia include the national carrier Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia, Pelangi Air, Berjaya Air and Transmile.