MAS eyes six A380 mega-jumbos

MAS eyes six A380 mega-jumbos

KUALA LUMPUR: The parent company of flag carrier Malaysia Airlines is in talks with the European Airbus consortium to acquire at least six A380 superjumbo aircraft, a report said Tuesday.

The deal could cost Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd. (PMB) between US$1 billion and $1.5 billion depending on the furnishing, with each plane to cost $170 million-$250 millions, the Star said.

Delivery of the first four A380s was expected to begin in 2006, with PMB having an option to buy two more at a later date, sources familiar with the deal told the newspaper.

The 555-seater aircraft would be leased to Malaysia Airline System (MAS), which was expected to use them for long-haul and high-demand routes, the daily said.

"It is a good arrangement Airbus has offered PMB and MAS. It is even willing to offer PMB launch prices," a source was quoted as saying.

The A380, with its bigger capacity and a lower operational costs, would give MAS the flexibility to cut costs and to reduce airfares in the future, the source added. -- AFP