Malaysia Airlines has lost only 12 engineers to SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) after the latter opened a facility at Subang Airport. This was revealed by the group managing director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines. Speculation about staff poaching arose after Malaysia’s Transport Minister shared that 63 engineers had left Malaysia Airlines since January this year. An audit found that resignations may have been due to more attractive salary offers from other maintenance companies.
SIAEC opened its maintenance facility in September 2023 and has insisted that its recruitment activities in Malaysia are conducted through fair and transparent processes that comply with regulations. Malaysia Airlines is working with technical schools to train new engineers and technicians each year to counteract staff losses. The engineering division at MAG is undergoing a culture reset as it deals with issues that have persisted for 40 years. The firm is aiming to incentivize productivity and improve operations.
MAG recently announced a 20 percent capacity cut for Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and Amal until December due to shortages of planes, labor, and parts. Analysts praised the decision to prioritize safety over profitability, noting that it highlights underlying issues that need to be addressed quickly to restore customer confidence. MAG is facing challenges in the aviation industry, including competition for skilled staff, which has led to some engineers leaving for SIAEC. The firm is focused on training new talent to fill the gaps left by departing staff members.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia conducted an audit on Malaysia Airlines and MAB Engineering Services, revealing the number of engineer resignations. The government has also expressed concern about the impact of staff losses and the need for the airline to address recruitment challenges. SIAEC’s presence in Malaysia has raised questions about poaching staff from other local companies, but the firm has emphasized its commitment to following regulations and industry standards in its recruitment processes. Malaysia Airlines is striving to improve its operations and retain skilled workers while also training new talent to sustain its engineering division.
Mr. Izham Ismail, the group managing director of MAG, stated that they plan to train around 60 to 70 engineers and 100 technicians each year to address attrition and retirement within the company. He acknowledged the challenges of changing a 40-year-old culture within the engineering division but emphasized that resetting operations and incentivizing productivity are top priorities for the firm. The aviation industry in Malaysia is facing various challenges, including labor shortages, competition for skilled staff, and the need to address deep-rooted issues within companies like Malaysia Airlines. Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to improve operations and training to ensure the sustainability of the aviation sector in the country.
