KUALA LUMPUR: Airbus has reaffirmed its commitment to Malaysia, emphasizing a renewed focus on strengthening strategic partnerships, particularly in sustainability. Speaking at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur, Executive Vice President International Wouter van Wersch highlighted Malaysia as a priority market for Airbus, valued for its robust business prospects and extensive collaborative ventures.
Currently, Malaysian carriers operate more than 280 Airbus commercial aircraft, alongside nearly 100 civil and military helicopters, four military transport aircraft, and two satellites crucial for national defense and development efforts. Airbus maintains a significant industrial presence in Malaysia, making it their largest supplier hub in Southeast Asia. Collaboration with 14 local partners and suppliers ensures that every Airbus commercial aircraft, including the A400M military airlifter, incorporates Malaysian-produced components, supporting approximately 4,000 skilled jobs annually.
Looking ahead, Airbus aims to forge new partnerships focused on sustainability. The company identifies Malaysia as a pivotal source of feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in the region, exploring options such as algae oil and seaweed.
“Airbus is leading efforts to ensure a sustainable future for our industry by transitioning to the latest generation aircraft, scaling up SAF production, and exploring alternative energy sources like hydrogen,” stated Wouter. “We are eager to collaborate closely with the local community to foster sustainable aviation practices and contribute to Malaysia’s economic and technological advancement.”
