Malaysia Airlines signed an MOU with ATR for 10 ATR 72-500s to be delivered in 2009 and 2010 with options for five additional 72-500s. The agreement is valued at $285 million including options. The 72-500s, configured with 68 seats, will be operated by wholly owned subsidiary MASWings. They will be used to expand service in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia. MASWings commenced operations in East Malaysia on Oct. 1 and currently operates four F50s and four Twin Otters. "The new aircraft will enable MASWings to expand its capacity by 150%," CEO Tengku Azmil Zahruddin said. "This will allow MASWings to meet the future demand in air travel within Sabah and Sarawak." In July, MAS signed an MOU with ATR to acquire 10 72-500s with options for 10 additional aircraft for Firefly, another wholly owned subsidiary
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