Malaysia Airlines' parent company orders 30 Boeing planes

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has announced plans to buy 30 Boeing 737 MAX planes. This decision is part of a strategy to update its aircraft after facing recent challenges. The order includes 18 Boeing 737-8 jets and 12 Boeing 737-10s. The financial details of the deal have not been revealed. Deliveries for the new planes are expected to begin in 2029. The agreement also allows MAG to buy 30 more jets in the future. Boeing confirmed that this order was recorded in January for an unidentified customer prior to the announcement. MAG’s Managing Director, Izham Ismail, stated that the choice of Boeing reflects a thorough assessment of their long-term growth plans. The new aircraft promise better fuel efficiency, longer range, and improved comfort for passengers. MAG plans to gradually retire its older 737-800 models used by Malaysia Airlines. The announcement was made during an event with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He expressed hope that the partnership with Boeing would strengthen economic ties and technological development in Malaysia. Aviation analyst Shukor Yusof noted that the deal has political implications as well. He suggested that this purchase could help address trade tensions with the United States, especially after former President Trump’s warnings about tariffs. Following the news, Boeing's shares saw a slight increase in early trading.