In a strategic move to broaden its presence in the Indian market, Malaysia Airlines has unveiled plans to expand its reach in India, increasing to nine cities. The airline already provides direct routes to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kochi. It now wants to introduce three new routes: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Expanding Reach In India
Commencing in November and December, these new routes will be serviced by Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, each accommodating 160 passengers. Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for this development:
“India remains a key market for Malaysia Airlines, hence we are delighted to introduce three new routes into our Indian network, which will provide added convenience for travellers, strengthen our presence in this core market and extend our Malaysian Hospitality service even further.”
Furthermore, Captain Ismail shared his optimism regarding the route’s performance, citing an average load factor of 81 per cent year-to-date in July 2023, underscoring the robust demand for travel between Malaysia and India. The airline aims to fully restore its pre-COVID-19 capacity in the Indian market by year-end and intends to increase flight frequencies to various destinations to support seamless travel within Malaysia and beyond.
Beyond Indian Borders
Malaysia Airlines’ expansion in India is part of a broader effort to restore capacity levels to pre-pandemic figures while increasing flight frequencies in various markets, including Australia, China, and the ASEAN region, in response to growing travel demand.
The airline’s first flight on these three new routes is slated for November 8th, connecting Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar. This will be followed by the launch of services to Thiruvananthapuram on November 9th and Ahmedabad on December 1st. The Malaysia Aviation Group’s commitment to extending its Malaysian Hospitality service and enhancing connectivity underscores its dedication to serving both business and leisure travellers.
With these new additions, the airline will operate flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and nine destinations in India, offering travellers increased options and flexibility for journeys within and between the two countries.
About Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, is Malaysia’s national airline. They serve more than 60 destinations spanning Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. With a modern fleet featuring Airbus A330s, Airbus A350s, and Boeing 737s, the carrier is known for its commitment to top-notch customer service and providing passengers with comfortable travel experiences.
Final Thoughts
This move isn’t surprising because as the airline embarks on this strategic expansion, it reaffirms its commitment to facilitating seamless travel and enhancing its global network. We find it really interesting that the first new route will be used on the 1st of November, exactly one year after Malaysia Airlines increased flights to Japan.
Have you ever travelled with the airline? What are your thoughts as Malaysia Airlines expands its reach in India to Nine Cities?
