Malaysia Airlines says 737 MAX jet deliveries may be delayed, eyes turnaround

Malaysia Airlines is looking at its order for 25 Boeing Co 737 MAX jets “very carefully” in light of the global grounding and plans for the first delivery in July 2020 could be delayed, the carrier’s CE said Monday. “I think our introduction to service will slide,” Malaysia Airlines CEO Izham Ismail said. “We are having a discussion and conversation with Boeing.” Malaysia Airlines has been trying to transform its operations as it recovers from two tragedies in 2014, when flight MH370 disappeared in what remains a mystery and flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine. The Malaysian government is considering whether to shut, sell or refinance its loss-making national carrier, PM Mahathir Mohamad said in March. Izham said Malaysia Airlines’ board had approved a restructuring plan in February that would be debated at the next board meeting of its owner, sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd, which is chaired by Mahathir. Izham declined to divulge specific details of the plan. However, he said Malaysia Airlines would cut costs but remain a full-service carrier and planned to form more alliances like a joint venture with Japan Airlines agreed last week.<br/>