In a highly embarrassing turn of events for both Malaysia Airlines and Airbus, the Kuala Lumpur-based carrier has temporarily grounded its first and only Airbus A330-900neo after operating just two return flights. The airline has stated that multiple technical defects with the plane have caused the grounding for safety reasons and so that the issues can be addressed before the aircraft flies with fare-paying passengers again.
The aircraft, registered as 9M-MNG, is the first of the type that the Malaysian flag carrier has on order from Airbus was only delivered to the carrier from Toulouse on November 29, 2024. It was then officially welcomed into the carrier’s fleet on December 19, 2024, at a special ceremony held at the airline’s headquarters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) before operating its first commercial roundtrip service to Melbourne Airport (MEL) in Australia. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and aircraft lessor Avolon.
It had been planned that the aircraft would be dedicated to this route until the airline’s second aircraft was delivered. However, according to a report in the New Straits Times, the airline has temporarily grounded the aircraft following the discovery of “multiple technical complications” that emerged during its first flight to Melbourne on December 19, 2024. Although the aircraft then made a second-round trip to the Australian city the following day, it was subsequently grounded pending further inspections by the carrier’s engineers, a process that will also reportedly involve specialist engineers from Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
According to reports in the Malaysian media, the widebodied aircraft, which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, encountered immediate operational challenges during its inaugural flight MH149 from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne with several engine and hydraulic system-related complications. Technical issues resurfaced the following day, necessitating the aircraft’s grounding upon its return to Kuala Lumpur.
Although the aircraft was initially grounded for 48 hours, its rotation to Melbourne scheduled for December 23, 20254 is also showing as canceled as at the time of writing (10:00 GMT on December 23, 2024).
Malaysia Aviation Group’s Managing Director Izham Ismail has confirmed the discovery of three distinct technical problems that “stem from manufacturing quality control and delivery processes.” Expressing his frustration via an interview with the New Straits Times, Ismail emphasized the unacceptable nature of these defects in a newly built aircraft. He also highlighted the impact on Malaysia Airlines’ reputation, stating that the airline’s brand has unfairly suffered due to factory-related quality issues.
The situation regarding 9M-MNG has raised serious concerns about manufacturing oversight at Airbus’s production facilities. Ismail has called for greater accountability from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), underscoring that “such issues compromise the airline’s commitment to safety standards.”
Malaysia Airlines’ new A330-900neo aircraft are to be configured to accommodate 297 passengers in a two-class layout featuring 28 business class seats and 269 passengers in economy class seats, which includes 24 seats with extended legroom. The business class cabin features the Collins Aerospace Elevation seat, which is arranged in a 1-2-1 herringbone layout, incorporating private suite doors for enhanced passenger comfort and privacy.
The aircraft is the first of 20 that the carrier has on order from Airbus to be delivered over the coming years to replace its older A330-300s and allow for further route expansion.