Malaysia Airlines has signed a long term contract with IBS, a leading supplier of IT solutions for the travel, transportation and logistics industry, for its crew management system, AvientCrew. This single integrated solution will replace the two different crew management systems that are currently being used by the airline to manage their Technical Crew and Cabin Crew rosters. While the current system at Malaysia Airlines uses a combination of manual and IT-based systems coupled with defined business rules and processes, the new system from IBS will automate the entire crew management and tracking process facilitating crew pairing, rostering, tracking and manpower planning. AvientCrew will be fully implemented in four phases over the next two years.

AvientCrew is an integrated system that will help Malaysia Airlines find the most cost-effective use of crew at every stage from tactical planning through day-of-operations execution to disruption recovery. The system will provide the airline multiple benefits in terms of improved crew productivity, minimal crewing disruptions, reduced disruption costs, streamlined administrative processes, automatic roster assignment, enhanced decision making capabilities through ‘what if’ scenarios, real-time alerts and accurate forecasts of manpower requirements, both short and long term. The AvientCrew solution of IBS is already being used by six major airlines, including Emirates, Jet Airways and Cathay Pacific among others.

Malaysia Airlines’ director of operations, Dato Tajuden Abu Bakar, said: “In this dynamic environment, we realise the pressing need to upgrade our systems to keep up with software solutions provided for the global travel, transportation and logistics industry. We chose to work with IBS, as their portfolio of products is fully accepted by the industry.”

Dato Tajuden Abu Bakar continued: “The integration of crew and fleet operations will not only help build efficiency, but also reduce disruption costs. This is in line with our focus to continuously review all aspects of operations to boost revenue and ensure leaner operations while enhancing the quality of our services.”

On the occasion, Peter Cefai, president and head global business operations IBS Group, said: “We are extremely honoured and pleased that Malaysia Airlines has chosen us as a partner in their ongoing drive to improve overall operating efficiency. The phased implementation of our AvientCrew system allows benefits to be realised by MAS at an early stage, and achieve rapid return on investment. As an end-to-end crew management solution, AvientCrew will be a critical component of MAS’s operations, ensuring safety, efficiency and well-being of the crew. IBS views this partnership as the start of a long-term relationship to help MAS meet its business goals through innovative IT solutions.”