• Tough first quarter as forecast with intensifying competition, currency and fuel rises 
• Passenger count increased double digit by 12.9% YOY to 3.57 million passengers  
• Introduction of the ‘Golden Rule’, with more investment in training in 2017  
• First Works Council conference held in Q1 
• New Amadeus Reservation System go live on 10 June 
• Senior management team announced for A380 charter airline 
• Steadily improving customer service index.  Airline applied for Skytrax rating 
• Group is still on track to be sustainably profitable by 2018  

Group CEO Peter Bellew said that Malaysia Airlines passenger bookings continued to accelerate in quarter one.

He added: “The quarter was tough with higher fuel prices and adverse foreign exchange impacting our performance. However, customers increased by 12.9% YOY to 3.57 million passengers and load factor at 79.4% versus 68.9% last year. Yields were lower due to intense competition and a price war. The quarter saw a further rapid improvement in international business due to an equalisation of certain KLIA airport charges.

“Malaysia Airlines continues to see strong bookings with a 45% improvement in forward bookings for the next six months (from June to November 2017) compared to the same period 2016.

“The network expansion is on track, with the second flight to Shanghai and upgauged Hong Kong flight (from the Boeing B737 to Airbus A330) showing immediate results. The airline is seeking more widebody aircraft on short- to medium-term leases to facilitate growth.

“The airline’s customer service index continued to recover as product improvements were steadily introduced in the quarter. We have introduced the ‘Golden Rule - treat customers as you would wish to be treated yourself’. The Golden Rule will be supported by simpler customer service policies and a large investment in training in 2017.