Malaysia Airlines is keen to strengthen its presence in India, recognizing the country as a “very important market.” According to Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the airline is planning to expand its operations by increasing flight frequencies and adding new destinations.
Currently, Malaysia Airlines serves nine Indian cities with daily flights to major destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kochi. It also runs four weekly flights from Ahmedabad and Trivandrum. In August, the airline increased its Amritsar flights from four per week to a daily service, highlighting the growing demand from the Indian market.
Expansion Plan in India
The airline is set to expand further by next year, eyeing more frequencies for Trivandrum and Ahmedabad, while also exploring new destinations across India. Malaysia Airlines currently operates 71 weekly flights to India and is looking forward to adding more flights once it increases its fleet.
“India is a crucial market for us, and we are excited about the opportunities it presents,” Ismail said during an interview in Kuala Lumpur. The expansion will focus on non-metro cities in India, where bilateral flying rights are less restrictive compared to metro routes.
Partnership with Indian Airlines
Malaysia Airlines has a codeshare partnership with IndiGo, which enables the airline to offer seamless travel experiences to destinations where it does not operate directly. It also has interline arrangements with Air India and Vistara, further expanding its reach within India.
Despite plans for expansion, the airline has faced challenges related to supply chain constraints and manpower issues. As a result, its network has been temporarily reduced until December 2024. However, Malaysia Airlines expects to overcome these hurdles by 2025, with a renewed focus on the Indian market.
Malaysia Airlines’ strategic growth in India aligns with the nation’s status as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. The airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and expanding its services will further solidify its position in this vital market.
