KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd will introduce three new routes to India namely Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad from Kuala Lumpur from Nov 8, Nov 9 and Dec 1 respectively.
Malaysia Airlines' parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) said the expansion brings the national carrier's point-to-point connectivity from Kuala Lumpur to India's nine key hubs.
MAG group managing director Datuk Izham Ismail said India remains a key market for Malaysia Airlines and the introduction of the three new routes will strengthen the national carrier's presence in its core market and provide added convenience for travellers.
"Currently, our average load factor on this route is at 81 per cent year-to-date July 2023 signifying the growth and confidence for travel between the two markets.
"We're looking at restoring our pre-Covid-19 capacity back in the Indian market by the end of this year and will look to increase flight frequencies to other destinations as we support seamless travels in Malaysia and beyond," he said.
Izham was speaking to the media at a press conference on Malaysia Airlines' new routes and products here today.
Malaysia Airlines currently operates direct flights to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi.
The Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad routes will be operated by the carrier's Boeing B737-800 New Generation (NG) aircraft, comprising 16 seats in business class and 144 seats in economy class.
Malaysia Airlines is offering introductory fares with all-in return tickets starting from RM999 on economy class and from RM2,999 on business class.
The fares are available for purchase from today (Sept 1) until Sept 9 for travel beginning Nov 8, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Those who book during this period will also enjoy up to 50 per cent bonus Enrich points.
Izham said Malaysia Airlines will also enhance its frequencies to build dominance in other key markets including Australia, China and Asean.
He said the national carrier will boost its weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne and Sydney from 14 flights a week to 15 and 16 flights a week, respectively starting December 2023.
Malaysia Airlines will also increase the number of flights from Kuala Lumpur to Guangzhou from five to seven times weekly, Beijing from three to seven flights weekly and Shanghai from nine to 10 flights per week.
Additionally, the airline's flight to Hong Kong is planned to be increased to 14 flights weekly from 11, Jakarta from 28 to 35 flights, Bangkok from 34 to 42 flights and Ho Chi Minh from 15 to 19 flights weekly.
Malaysia Airlines also launched its new product offerings, MHsports and MHcruise, to strengthen the overall traveller experience while enhancing its existing commercial products.
MHsports provides groups of five or more people travelling for sporting purposes to enjoy special fares, extra 10kg baggage allowance, flexible date and time changes, and the convenience of flexible return date.
MHcruise features a special discounted fares tailor-made for selected travel trades to seamlessly integrate with the passengers' cruise packages.
The MHcruise is designed to cater to a wide spectrum of travellers, from solo adventurers to families and large groups embarking on their cruise vacations.
The carrier offers discounted fares, including special fares for kids under 12, extra 10kg baggage allowance, preferential fares on both business and economy class seats, and the freedom to choose one-way or return trips to various destinations within its network.