Happy Birthday Mayalsia Airlines

IATA ICAO Callsign MH MAS MALAYSIAN

Malaysia airlines began its life in Singapore as Malayan Airways Limited, and flew its first commercial flight in 1947. It was then renamed as Malaysian Airways after the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. In 1966, after Singapore's expulsion from the federation, the airline was renamed Malaysia Singapore Airlines (MSA), before its assets were divided in 1972 to form two separate national airlines - Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Singapore Airlines.

As with Singapore Airlines; Malaysia Airlines commenced operations on the 1st October 1972.

Malaysia Airlines is the flag carrier of Malaysia and operates flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to 59 destinations throughout Asia, Oceania and Europe.  The company's headquarters are located at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In August 2014, the Malaysian government's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional—which then owned 69.37% of the airline—announced its intention to purchase remaining ownership from minority shareholders and de-list the airline from Malaysia's stock exchange, thereby renationalising the airline.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES B747-4HS  9M-MPB (CN 25699)    (File Photo)

In 2014, Malaysia Airlines lost two aircraft - flight MH 370 9M-MRO - (Kuala Lumpur to Beijing)  disappeared from radar and flight MH 17 9M-MRD  (Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur) was shot down. Prior to 2014, the airline had one of the world's best safety records - just two fatal accidents in 68 years of operation. One of which was the hijacked flight MH 653 9M-MBD in December 1977 when it was operating a domestic flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Airlines was voted No 34 as the best airline in the world, down three places from last years placing of 31
Malaysia Airlines has completed the first phase of its post restructuring fleet plan with the lease of six second hand A330-200s and the purchase of eight new 787-9s. Along with six A350-900s, 15 737 MAX 8s and 10 737 MAX 10s, the airline now has commitments for 45 aircraft, which will all be delivered over the next five years. Most of the aircraft will be used as replacements as Malaysia Airlines phases out A380s, A330-300s and 737-800s. The six A330-200s will be delivered in 2018 and will replace six 737-800s, enabling the airline to upgrade several regional routes within Asia.
A resumption of European expansion is also in the pipeline, initially using two of the A350-900s in mid 2018, and then using the 787-9s in late 2019 or 2020. Malaysia Airlines still needs to acquire at least 20 more new generation widebody aircraft; it is considering additional 787-9s or A330-900neos and could potentially pursue an early phase-out of the A350 fleet, which would reduce the number of widebody types to a more sensible number.