Aircraft

Malaysia Airlines' cargo arm MASkargo has begun operating an Airbus A300-600 freighter, which is the first aircraft in its fleet in that size category.

A spokeswoman says from Kuala Lumpur that the A300-600 freighter is on wet-lease from Air Atlanta Icelandic. She says it is being used for services within the Asia-Pacific up to 5hr flying time.

The A300-600 is the first of the type for the airline and the first in the size category. MASkargo previously only operated Boeing 747 freighters, specifically two 747-400Fs and four -200Fs.

The -200Fs are also on lease from Air Atlanta Icelandic, which says on its website that the A300-600F will be wet-leased by MASkargo until the end of next year.

MASkargo had for several years been considering adding mid-size freighters for use on services within the Asia-Pacific region. The spokeswoman says the carrier expects to add more in future, although there are no immediate plans.