MAS to trim capacity, jobs in restructuring plan

Malaysia Airlines plans to cut its global seat capacity by 10% to concentrate on regional growth.

And services to the Middle East and Europe — London, Paris and Amsterdam — could be under threat if they do not contribute to the network or to group profitability.

The airline has also said staff are being reviewed through a ‘talent assessment exercise’ with the aim of cutting 6,000 jobs

The moves were revealed by Khazanah, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, which last year took control of the airline after it was hit by two tragedies.

In March 2014, flight MH370 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and four months later, flight MH17 was shot down in a missile attack over eastern Ukraine.

Former Aer Lingus head Christoph Mueller started as the new chief executive on Sunday.

Khazanah said the 10% capacity cut would come as the airline focused ‘on more profitable domestic and regional routes.

It added: "This short-term network consolidation is expected to enable a strengthening of the airline’s financial position."