Malaysia Airlines gets new hi-lift trucks, hot meal services on affected routes reinstated

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) will be reinstating hot meal services on board routes affected after its contract recently ended with Brahim’s Food Services last month.

In a statement Friday (Sept 15), the Malaysian Aviation Group, of which MAB is part of, said that this was made possible with the arrival of 10 new hi-lift trucks ahead of schedule.

MAB had suspended hot meal offerings on some of its flights due to the absence of the hi-lifts earlier.

“MAB anticipates the arrival of another 10 hi-lift trucks in the coming months, while proactively enhancing and fine-tuning its pre-packaged meal components during the interim period, with the aim of fully restoring the full meal service by mid-November this year.

“The hi-lift trucks are an essential part of the overall airline in-flight meal process in upholding food quality and safety standards.

“In the absence of the hi-lifts, MAB temporarily suspended hot meal offerings to ensure food safety is not compromised,” said the statement.

On Sept 11, Malaysia Airlines reintroduced simplified hot meals for Business Class passengers on the Bangkok and Denpasar routes.

“From today, Economy Class passengers travelling to Bangkok and Denpasar, as well as passengers on all cabin classes on flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Manila and Hong Kong, will also be served hot meals.

“Business Class passengers heading to all South Asia sectors will additionally enjoy the renowned Malaysia Airlines satay. Other Asean cities will be served hot meals in stages.

“Meanwhile, passengers travelling to other South Asian, North Asian and Australia destinations will continue to receive the simplified hot meals onboard.

“Services on the London, Auckland, Jeddah, Madinah, Osaka and Haneda routes had remained unaffected,” said Malaysian Aviation Group.

MAB established a temporary distribution centre at KL International Airport (KLIA), to manage the assembly of F&B items by respective suppliers and the uplifting of meal boxes onboard via hi-lift trucks.

“The centre’s operations are in accordance with standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and is endorsed by the local health authorities for its cleanliness, hygiene and environment – meeting food safety and hygiene standards,” said the statement.

The longstanding catering contract between MAB and Brahim’s Food Services ended on Aug 31 this year after extensive negotiations did not result in an amicable agreement.

Brahim’s had in early June served MAB with a notice of service discontinuation effective July 1, while discussions were still ongoing for a new contract.

However, Brahim’s subsequently retracted the notice and agreed to extend service until Aug 31.