Though specifics have not yet been announced, there’s a possibility that Malaysia Airlines single-aisle jet aircraft will be flying to and from Subang Airport as soon as next month.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has revealed its plans to join the upcoming jet operations at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SAAS), more commonly known as Subang Airport, with an anticipated start date as early as June this year.
Amid growing interest and speculation about MAG’s role, specifics regarding which subsidiary – Malaysia Airlines Bhd or FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd – will lead the narrowbody aircraft operations remain undisclosed. Both companies currently have jet planes in their respective fleets that would be options for Subang Airport’s forthcoming jet operations.
MAG’s managing director, Datuk Izham Ismail, affirmed the group’s commitment to the airport’s resurgence, refraining from divulging detailed operational strategies.
“MAG will participate in the resumption of jet operations at SAAS airport. We cannot disclose at present whether it will be Malaysia Airlines or Firefly, but we will be involved,” Business Times quoted Izham as saying.
“The destinations served by either airline will encompass domestic routes and ASEAN countries.”
Subang Airport currently exclusively accommodates Firefly’s turboprop aircraft, while Malaysia Airlines predominantly operates from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. Malaysia Airlines’ fleet comprises both narrowbody and widebody aircraft, whereas Firefly operates narrowbody planes alongside ATR turboprops.
Izham provide more details on the existing aircraft slot allocation at Subang Airport, indicating that they are designated for ATR aircraft.
“The current aircraft slots at Subang Airport are for ATRs. Airlines wishing to operate jets from the 59-year-old airport will need to bid for new slots,” he said.
“Firefly will continue its ATR operations at the airport until the completion of phase one development, which will see the cessation of turboprop operations,” he said, adding, “Our current slots are exclusively for ATRs. We will need to bid for new slots for jet operations once bidding opens.”
According to Izham, SAAS airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will permit MAG to transition its ATR slots to jets once phase one of the airport development concludes.
The reintroduction of narrowbody aircraft operations at Subang Airport in June signifies a significant milestone, 26 years after all jet operations were redirected to KLIA upon its opening in 1998.
Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin, MAHB’s senior general manager of strategy, outlined the phase one development, which includes provisions for parking bays tailored to accommodate both narrowbody aircraft and ATRs.
“Upon completion of the phase one project, which commenced in December 2023, Subang Airport will be equipped to handle single-aisle aircraft types such as Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s, and A321s.
“MAHB is collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to allocate airport slots to airlines interested in operating from Subang Airport.”
Furthermore, existing operators like Firefly and Batik Air Malaysia Sdn Bhd are encouraged to maintain their current slots while also having the option to apply for new ones based on their operational needs.
Information from Malaysia Aviation Group, Business Times, and Focus Malaysia contributed to this article.
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