Malaysian

Expert: Malaysia Airlines needs to downsize to survive

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Efforts to save Malaysia Airlines (MAS) need to begin with downsizing its staff to make it competitive, said Maybank Investment Bank aviation analyst Mohsin Aziz.

The plan by MAS to retrench 6,000 workers out of its total workforce of 20,000 is critical to the national carrier's survival, and as part of its recovery plan, the ending of unprofitable routes and services would unavoidably result in the termination of redundant staff, he said. But the most critical issue, he said, is MAS's own survival, adding this is the right time to continue with measures that have been postponed for so long.

"What is more important is that we need to do it now, it cannot be postponed any longer, otherwise the airline will not recover and will be in worse shape," he said.