European aerospace giant Airbus has strengthened its foothold in Malaysia with the inauguration of a new office in Putrajaya on 19 May 2025, just days before the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 where the company will be a major exhibitor.

The strategically located facility will house 170 employees, primarily focused on providing customer services to regional airline operators, including Flight Hour Services and component support for A330 and A350 widebody fleets.

“Airbus has a long-standing relationship with the country across its commercial aircraft, defence, space and helicopter businesses. It is our third-largest market in the region after China and India. What makes this partnership unique is the breadth of collaboration – from commercial fleet modernisation and defence cooperation, to local industrial participation and skills development. Parts ‘Made in Malaysia’ are flying on nearly every Airbus commercial aircraft in production today. With abundant feedstocks and a mature petro-chemical industry, Malaysia is well-positioned to become a regional leader in SAF production. To move this forward, Airbus recently signed an agreement with the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC) to research SAF feedstock availability and supply chain viability. Our commitment to Malaysia is stronger than ever. We are proud to support the country’s economic development, defence priorities and sustainability ambitions through long-term partnerships, local investment and high-value job creation.”

Anand Stanley, President of Airbus Asia-Pacific

The aerospace manufacturer currently has approximately 150 commercial aircraft operating in Malaysia, with orders for around 400 more. AirAsia remains a significant customer for the A320 Family and A330, while Malaysia Airlines operates an all-Airbus widebody fleet, recently adding the A330neo and A350 Long Range Leader to its inventory.

In the defence sector, Malaysia made history as the first export customer of the A400M military transport aircraft. The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is celebrating a decade of operations with its fleet of four A400Ms this year, having accumulated over 13,000 flight hours. Airbus is also proposing its C295 aircraft in transport and maritime surveillance configurations to enhance Malaysia’s airlift and maritime security capabilities.

The company maintains its position as the leading helicopter provider in Malaysia with 93 helicopters in service, including 12 H225Ms that support critical missions such as law enforcement, border patrol, medical evacuation, and search and rescue operations.

Airbus has established a substantial industrial footprint in Malaysia, including the Sepang Aircraft Engineering MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) centre and a regional helicopter training and support hub in Subang. The company’s annual procurement from Malaysian suppliers amounts to US$325 million, supporting high-skill employment and technological advancement in the country.

At the upcoming LIMA 2025 exhibition, Airbus will showcase an impressive lineup, including A400M aircraft from both the German Luftwaffe and the RMAF on static display, along with the luxurious ACH160 corporate helicopter. Two additional RMAF A400Ms will participate in flying demonstrations. The company’s stand B-16 will feature scale models of the A220, A400M, H225M, Pléiades Neo Earth Observation satellite, Zephyr high-altitude platform station, and the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system.

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New Airbus H175 simulator for Malaysia

Airbus announced plans to expand its helicopter training operations in Malaysia with the addition of a new H175 full-flight simulator at its facility in Subang. The simulator, scheduled to become operational in the second half of 2026, represents the first H175 training device of its kind to be installed outside Europe.

The expansion reinforces Airbus’s commitment to aviation safety through its Helicopters Training Academy in Malaysia. The new simulator will join existing H225 and AS365 simulators at the Subang location, creating a comprehensive training hub for the region.

“This latest investment underscores our dedication to aviation safety and customer proximity. By expanding our training capabilities in Malaysia, we are ensuring that pilots and mechanics in Asia-Pacific have access to world-class facilities designed to enhance safety and readiness.”

Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President Customer Support and Services, Airbus Helicopters

According to the company, the facility will offer advanced learning capabilities through digitised classrooms and virtual trainers. The enhanced training centre is designed to support pilot type rating, recurrent training, and mission training to ensure operational proficiency for critical flight scenarios.
The Malaysia simulator centre has established a strong track record since its establishment, providing over 21,000 training hours to approximately 2,600 pilots to date. With the addition of the H175 full-flight simulator, Airbus expects to significantly increase its training capacity in the region.

The expanded facility will feature cutting-edge simulation technology, including Level D training capabilities and the latest Helionix avionics system. The simulators will utilise OEM data packages designed to ensure accurate reproduction of helicopter performance, with the goal of elevating pilot proficiency and operational safety standards.

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Photo credits: Airbus