Malaysia Aviation Group Secures up to 60 Boeing 737 MAX Jets, and More

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Malaysia Aviation Group Finalizes Order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX Jets with Options for 30 More

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has confirmed an order for up to 60 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, comprising 30 firm orders and 30 options.

The firm order includes 18 Boeing 737-8 and 12 737-10 jets, finalizing a deal that was booked in January 2025 but previously listed as unidentified on Boeing's orders and deliveries website.

Key Points

• MAG plans to modernize its narrowbody fleet to 55 Boeing 737-8 and 737-10 aircraft by 2030, gradually phasing out older 737-800 aircraft

• The new aircraft will enable Malaysia Airlines to introduce lie-flat business class seats, particularly on the 737-10 variant, enhancing premium travel experience on regional routes

• Malaysia Airlines currently operates 11 737 MAX 8s, with 14 more on order from Air Lease Corporation, separate from this new order

• The carrier took delivery of 6 737 MAX 8s between January-February 2025, doubling its MAX fleet in less than a month

• The 737 MAX aircraft will reduce fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to previous generation aircraft

• The order follows Malaysia Airlines' recovery efforts after two tragic incidents in 2014 and subsequent restructuring under MAG, backed by sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional

• The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2029, according to MAG

• Southeast Asia is projected as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, with regional passenger traffic expected to triple over the next 20 years

What It Means

This strategic investment further strengthens Boeing's position in Southeast Asia despite ongoing production challenges and delivery delays affecting airlines globally. For MAG, it represents a significant commitment to fleet modernization and premium service enhancement in one of aviation's fastest-growing markets. The substantial order signals MAG's confidence in its financial recovery and long-term growth strategy following years of restructuring.

Other Key Aviation Industry Updates for Today 👇

2. London Heathrow Airport Shutdown Causes Global Flight Chaos After Substation Fire

London's Heathrow Airport shut down entirely on Friday, March 21, 2025, after a fire at a nearby electrical substation caused a major power outage that affected both main and backup systems.

The closure, expected to last until midnight, has disrupted over 1,300 flights and affected approximately 200,000 passengers.

Flights have been diverted across Europe, with experts predicting several days of global travel disruption and financial losses in the tens of millions.

Counter-terrorism police are investigating, though there's currently no indication of foul play.

London Heathrow Airport is the world's fifth-busiest airport by seats and also the busiest in Europe.

3. Korean Air Secures 50 New Boeing Jets in $32.7 Billion Fleet Expansion

Korean Air is finalizing a massive $32.7 billion deal with Boeing and GE Aerospace, signing contracts for 40 new aircraft with an option for 10 more.

The agreement includes 20 Boeing 777-9s and 20 Boeing 787-10s to be delivered by 2033, valued at $24.9 billion, plus $7.8 billion for engines and maintenance services from GE.

This expansion follows Korean Air's acquisition of Asiana Airlines, which elevated it into the world's top 10 carriers.

4. COMAC C919, China's Answer to Boeing and Airbus Accelerates Manufacturing Plans

China's state-owned COMAC announced plans to increase C919 production capacity to 75 aircraft annually (up from 50) in 2025.

The single-aisle passenger jet, which seats 158-192 passengers and has a range of 4,075-5,555 kilometers, has gained traction with over 1,000 orders, including 100 each from China's major airlines.

Having carried over one million passengers by December 2024, COMAC is also developing the C929 widebody aircraft to further challenge Airbus and Boeing's market dominance.

5. Quick-Thinking Controllers Avert Taxiway Takeoff at Orlando Airport

On March 20, 2025, Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 nearly took off from a taxiway instead of a runway at Orlando International Airport.

Air traffic controllers intervened, canceling takeoff clearance after the crew mistook the taxiway for the adjacent runway.

The Boeing 737-800, bound for Albany, NY, stopped safely. No injuries were reported, and passengers were rebooked on another flight.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident, which has raised further concerns about U.S. aviation safety amid recent similar occurrences.

6. FAA Orders Enhanced Wing Inspections for All Boeing 777 Wing Cracks

The FAA has issued a new Airworthiness Directive for all Boeing 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F aircraft, effective April 23, 2025.

The directive follows discovery of a 5-inch crack on an upper wing skin and requires operators to conduct open-hole high-frequency eddy current inspections instead of previously proposed ultrasonic inspections.

The mandatory checks will cost U.S. operators approximately $1.58 million per inspection cycle across 323 affected aircraft.

Despite requests from airlines for extended compliance times, the FAA maintained its position based on fleetwide crack data.

7. Singapore Airlines (SIA) and ANA Partnership Gets Green Light After Five-Year Wait

Singapore's Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCS) has granted conditional approval for the commercial cooperation between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) on March 21, 2025.

The joint venture, first proposed in January 2020, covers flights between Singapore and Japan, as well as key markets like Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Despite competition concerns on the Singapore-Tokyo route, CCCS accepted commitments from both airlines.

8. SITA and Orange Business Renew Five-Year Aviation Technology Alliance

SITA and Orange Business have renewed their partnership for five more years, extending a collaboration that began in 2001.

Announced on March 20, 2025, the agreement aims to provide secure, resilient networking solutions to the Air Transport Industry serving 2,500+ customers across 200+ countries.

Beyond traditional connectivity, the partnership will focus on advanced cybersecurity, smart airport solutions, and digital transformation tools.

Both companies plan to explore AI-driven efficiencies and sustainability initiatives, with training updates rolling out soon to maximize benefits for airlines and airports worldwide.

9. Japan Refinery Head Calls for Airline Regulations to Match SAF Supply Mandates

Japanese oil refiners are calling for concrete regulations to encourage airlines to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), according to industry lobby head Junichi Kito.

While refiners must supply SAF equivalent to 10% of aviation fuel sales by 2030, no similar mandate exists for airlines.

Cosmo Energy will launch Japan's first domestic SAF production in April 2025, producing 30,000 kiloliters annually from used cooking oil at its Sakai refinery.

The company aims to supply 300,000 kiloliters by 2030 through domestic production and imports, with JAL and ANA as initial customers.

10. Bell Helicopters Adopt Advanced GE Vibration Analysis Technology

Bell Textron has approved GE Aerospace's Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System Next Generation (RADS-NG) for use across its commercial helicopter fleet, including the Bell 505, 429, 412, and 407 models.

Announced this week, the system provides cutting-edge vibration analysis that enhances component life and passenger comfort while reducing flights needed for rotor track and balance operations.

One early operator reported 10% torque savings.

The portable system replaces previous solutions and was developed with customer input to support various aircraft designs, including next-generation eVTOL aircraft.