MAG sees opportunity in China's Boeing delivery halt

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is exploring the possibility of accelerating its Boeing aircraft acquisition timeline, following delivery slots potentially vacated by Chinese carriers due to the ongoing US-China trade war. Group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said the group views the situation as a potential window to secure earlier-than-expected aircraft deliveries from Boeing, although competition among global carriers for available slots remains intense. "MAG is in conversation with Boeing about whether we can take over those slots. So, we will meet our number faster (fleet). Everybody wants it, 10,000 people want this aircraft. It is a competitive space and we are mindful of what we are getting into," he told Bernama. It was reported that the Chinese government ordered its airlines to halt Boeing deliveries amid heightened trade tensions between the US and China. The US plane manufacturer has begun flying its jets, which were previously refused by Chinese airlines, back to the US. Additionally, Izham said that any additional aircraft acquired would not be part of MAG's initial order of 25 aircraft, which are under a leasing arrangement with Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The aircraft from ALC's order book with Boeing will be delivered to the Malaysian carrier from 2023 until the beginning of 2026. "So if we are able to snatch this, we will need to go to the capital market to raise money for this," he said.<br/>