KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18:
Turkish Airlines is considering leasing two Airbus A380 superjumbos from Malaysia Airlines (MAS), Bloomberg has reported.
MAS, which operates six A380s in its fleet, no longer needs the capacity, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.
“Offloading parts of its A380 fleet would help MAS in its efforts to rescale its business after two aircraft disasters last year.
“Turkish Airlines is among the fastest growing carriers in the world and so far doesn’t operate the double-decker, which could support the flag carrier’s push to establish Istanbul as a transfer hub for travel between Europe and the US and Asia, mirroring the strategies of top Gulf carriers located further southeast.”
Bloomberg reported that the deal will give Airbus a respite as it has struggled to find new customers for the A380.
“Even a small lease agreement involving the large plane would offer a respite, as it would give a fast-growing carrier the chance to assess the plane with a view toward possibly buying or leasing more in the future.
“Airbus has failed to find a new airline buyer for its A380 since 2013. Its only purchaser in 2014 was a leasing company, Amedeo, that has yet to line up a single carrier to take any of the 20 it ordered.