* MAS waiting for govt approval to order up to 100 aircraft from Boeing, Airbus

* New aircraft to help lower costs, carry more passengers and boost competitiveness

* MAS keen to start taking delivery of new planes in 2016

* Airline made $104.23 mln net loss in Oct-Dec 2013, its fourth consecutive quarterly loss

(Reuters) – Loss-making Malaysia Airlines is waiting for government approval to place a multi-billion dollar order for up to 100 Airbus and Boeing passenger aircraft, two people familiar with the negotiations told Reuters, a move aimed at boosting its profitability.

The new aircraft will lower the airline’s operating costs by allowing it to retire its older, less fuel-efficient aircraft. That may help it cope with intense competition at home and within Southeast Asia, the people said.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has 88 aircraft in its fleet, including Airbus A330s and A380s, and Boeing 777-200s and 737s, according to its website.

It plans to initially order around 30 widebody aircraft, including Airbus A330s and A350-900s, to replace its older Airbus A330s and Boeing 777-200s over this decade. It could also order either the Boeing 787-10 or the Airbus A350-1000 for its fleet beyond 2020, one of the people said.

MAS is keen to begin taking delivery of some aircraft from 2016, which means that it could meet part of it requirements from leasing companies, the sources said.

While the airline considered adding one or two more A380s to the six in its fleet, it has decided that twin-engined widebody aircraft are its priority.

MAS, which operates Boeing 737-800s for its short haul and regional services, is also looking at an order for the 737 Max to replace the older planes in its fleet.

A Malaysia Airlines spokesman was not immediately available for comment and the people familiar with the order declined to be named as the details were confidential.

SOURCE REUTERS, Read more..