Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is focusing on replacing aircraft to boost revenue and reduce operational costs, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
To regain customer confidence, MAS will introduce long-haul services on the Airbus A380 as a new brand for the airline from July 1, he added.
Najib, who is also finance minister, said this in his written reply to a question from Hee Loy Sian (PKR-Petaling Jaya Selatan) on the improvement plan to ensure the firm's RM2.52 billion loss last year was not repeated.
Najib said to improve customers' satisfaction and to make MAS the premium airline of choice, the airline was improving its services, including the checking-in of passengers and upgrading the first and business class lounges.
He said MAS would join the oneworld alliance at the end of this year to boost its brand among other airline customers as well as improve the load factor with additional traffic.
Najib said the net loss for MAS last year was RM2.52 billion and RM171 million for the first quarter of this year, resulting from a slump in the global aviation industry, particularly for cargo services, as well as an increase in the operational costs of the company.
"Based on the financial performance for the said period, MAS is working to strengthen its balance sheet to enable the financing of the new aircraft, which are considered crucial for its recovery."
