Airbus's superjumbo finds new life on Malaysia Airlines pilgrim trips

London

MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd's Airbus SE A380s are flying full on trial services taking Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, prompting the carrier to say it will establish the operation as a new division as early as the end of this year.

The Asian company has been using two of its six A380s to transport people headed to Mecca for the year-round Umrah pilgrimage since November, chief executive officer Izham Ismail said in an interview. The planes will ultimately be used for the annual Hajj gathering, one of the world's biggest travel events.