MALAYSIA AIRLINES STRATEGIC INDIA EXPANSION

Malaysia Airlines has overcome a series of severe setbacks over the past few years and is now consolidating, growing and rationalising its fleet and its routes. India is a key market for the company and this month it will launch a record three routes to Kuala Lumpur from the South, the North and the West of India!

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Malaysia Airlines is expanding its presence in India. To strengthen its foothold in one of the hottest travel markets in the world, MAS is all set to enhance its network from six to nine cities, working to capture the enormous opportunities that the sub-continent offers. The airline is introducing new routes to Thiruvananthapuram, Amritsar, and Ahmedabad for the upcoming winter season, which serves as a clear indication of how serious it is about the Indian market.

The airline is currently operating at over 90 per cent of its pre-pandemic capacity in India. India has exhibited robust travel demand, with an impressive average load factor of 81 per cent, prompting Malaysia Airlines to bol- ster its connectivity and elevate flight frequencies to cater to this surging demand. Commencing in November and December, the new routes will be serviced by the Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, each configured with 160 seats.

The airline has successfully recovered both financially and operationally from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis. As a result, the airline is now redirecting its attention towards investments in customer experience and fleet enhancements. The Malaysia Aviation Group reported a significant financial turnaround with a 2022 full-year operating profit of $125 mn. This contrasts starkly with the previous year’s $173mn loss.