MASkargo to spend RM1 billion to improvise products, cost structure for the next three years

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) will spend more than RM1 billion over the next three years to improve its products, efficiency and cost structure, said its managing director, Shahari Sulaiman.

He said the company would be upgrading its Advanced Cargo Centre (ACC) at the KL International Airport (KLIA) and introduce four Airbus A330 freighters.

The refurbishment and upgrading of the material handling control system at the ACC would increase the current capacity by more than 40 per cent to one million tonnes, Shahari said at the 15th MASkargo Megatonners Award event here Friday night.

He said it would incorporate the state of the art technology and processes to allow dynamic tracking and faster movement of the consignments within the warehouse.

“The introduction of the Airbus A330 freighters will be a game changer where we would be able to match the right capacity to the right markets,” he said.

Shahari said the cost benefit of operating a fuel efficient twin engine aircraft would allow it to grow into new markets within Asia.

The primary network will be to serve the intra Asia trade lanes which is also the region with the highest growth rate, he said.

“With the phasing out of the classic freighters from our fleet at the end of the year, MASkargo will have one of the youngest freighter fleets.

“This will certainly help improve our on-time performance and augur well in reducing our carbon footprint,” he said.

MASkargo ended last year with total cargo revenues of RM2.39 billion, a 29.2 per cent increase over 2009, thanks to improvements in yield and load factors and an increase in freighter capacity.

It recorded a pre-tax profit of RM141.7 million.

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Jelaing Mersat said the government will continue to facilitate the growth of the air cargo industry in Malaysia to benefit all cargo operators. — Bernama