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Malaysia Commits to $19 Billion Boeing Aircraft Purchase
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, has committed to purchasing a total of 26 Boeing aircraft worth nearly US$19 billion. The deal, which is part of ongoing commercial agreements with the United States, was announced by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz at a press conference at Miti headquarters.
The 26 Boeing aircraft are divided into two phases of procurement. The first phase involves the purchase of 13 aircraft, valued at US$9.5 billion. Malaysia has also committed to purchasing an additional 13 Boeing aircraft for the second phase of the deal, with a similar estimated value to the first phase. The exact value of the second phase has not been disclosed.
The Boeing aircraft are intended for Malaysia Airlines, MAG's main airline subsidiary. The purchase reinforces Malaysia's continued support of bilateral trade ties and aerospace cooperation with the United States. The deals are aimed at mutual benefit, creating downstream opportunities for Malaysia's aviation sector, specifically in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).
The timeline for delivery is not explicitly stated, but such large-scale commercial aircraft procurements typically have staggered deliveries over multiple years. The aircraft purchase was highlighted during Malaysia's recent trade negotiations.
Separately, Malaysia Airlines has also increased its Airbus A330neo orders for fleet modernization, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2031. However, this is a different deal from the Boeing aircraft purchase.
The specific airlines or agencies involved in the Boeing deals were not specified by Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz during the press conference. He also did not provide further details about the value of the second phase of the Boeing aircraft deal.
The Boeing aircraft purchase comes amid broader negotiations on tariffs and market access between Malaysia and the United States. The negotiations are expected to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The Boeing aircraft deal, valued at almost $19 billion, will primarily benefit Malaysia Airlines, according to the announcement made by Tengku Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz at the Miti headquarters. This investment is one of the ongoing commercial agreements with the United States, aiming to foster mutual benefit and create opportunities in Malaysia's aviation sector, particularly in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). The news of this significant financial commitment highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the United States.
