MASkargo recovery kickstarts plans for expansion

MASkargo, the air cargo subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, is considering leasing larger freighters next year when its current leases expire.
It currently has four narrow-body wet leases – four 747-200 freighters – but managing director, Shahari Sulaiman, said that he is considering upgrading these to widebodies, either Boeing 747-400s or Airbus A330s, in April.
“Next year, we have an opportunity to right-size our freighter capacity. We are working out what is the best aircraft type to use beyond April and may look at the bigger 747-400Fs or A330Fs,” Shahari said.
These additions would be on top of the two 747-400Fs that MASkargo currently owns.
Of course, the upgrade is dependent on improving cargo levels, but Shahari says that third quarter results have shown an encouraging recovery, at nine per cent down from last year compared to 23 per cent down and 30 per cent down in the second and first quarters respectively.
“Cargo volume handled in September was higher than in December last year. As such, we expect to see positive growth in cargo volume by November,” he said.
For the full story, see Air Cargo News dated 30 October.