The first charter flight of MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) recently brought about 20 tonnes of COVID-19 test kits from Seoul to Jakarta. 

Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Mohamed Salleh said that on 4 Jan at 17.20 (local time), using Airbus 330-200 freight aircrafts, the MH 6431 departed Incheon International Airport after a two-hours transit at Kuala Lumpur International Airport arrived at Sökarno-Hatta International Airport safely on 5 January.

"The ad hoc deployment of the charter service was due to the urgent need to ensure timely delivery of the items,” he said in statement.

Ibrahim said this was an achievement as the teams involved worked on various tasks on the end-of-year holidays, including the right temperature and time to get the most needed items secure as possible.

“Coordination of the flight was made seamless with Zagreb-based charterers, recipients in Indonesia and MASkargo teams in Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.

“With the adequate infrastructure to ensure the safe handling, transportation, and distribution of the temperature-sensitive goods, MASkargo maintained the aircraft temperature at between 15 to 25 degrees Celcius throughout the 11-hour flight. 

“This mission has proven beyond doubt MASkargo's capability and solid track record of carrying time and temperature-sensitive products within its network and beyond," he said.

MASkargo operates passenger-to-cargo flights with an increased frequency as a response to demand, compensating for the decrease in passenger capacity.

The group also operates the BHD aircraft, Malaysia Airlines Bhd's aircraft, the A330-300s, the A350-900s and the A380-800, in addition to the MASkargo three freighter aircraft.