KUALA LUMPUR: Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are set to boost flight services between Malaysia and China, with a commitment to a minimum of 62 weekly flights.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture (Motac) Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing shared plans for expanded operations, introducing five additional departure locations and three new destinations, emphasizing Xi'an and Urumqi as key hubs for the Chinese Muslim market.
The surge in tourism is attributed to visa exemptions, prompting the airlines to enhance their schedules, increase frequencies, and introduce new routes to foster stronger connections between the two nations.
"Following my official visit to China last year, I received detailed information from China Eastern Airlines and its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines regarding the introduction of new flight routes.
"In addition, three new destinations will be incorporated: Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Penang. Xi'an and Urumqi, specifically, will function as primary hubs with a strategic focus on the Chinese Muslim market," he said in a statement today.
He said currently, Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern Airlines operate a robust schedule with 45 weekly direct flights connecting the two countries.
"Specifically, they cater to the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program, offering 31 flights to the Langkawi International Tourism Subang Skypark Shah Alam.
"The favourable response from citizens of both nations indicates the success of the visa exemption initiative. In response, airlines are bolstering their confidence and taking proactive measures to address the heightened demand in the market.
"This includes increasing flight frequencies and introducing new routes, fostering stronger people-to-people connections between Malaysia and China throughout this year.
"Tiong also highlighted immediate steps, such as augmenting existing Shanghai Airlines flights, particularly the Langkawi International Tourism Subang Skypark Shah Alam route.
Commencing Jan 19, the flight frequency will elevate from 17 to 21, with three daily flights employing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a more fitting choice for the journey.
It is understood that starting Jan 26, China Eastern Airlines will initiate flights on the Beijing to Kuala Lumpur route.
The service will include a daily round-trip flight on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft.
He also stated that China Eastern Airlines will gradually launch daily flights from Shanghai Pudong Airport to new destinations in Malaysia in the second half of this year.
This includes daily flights to Penang starting from July 24 and daily round-trip flights to Kuching, Sarawak, commencing in mid-September.
"If these additional flights can be implemented according to the schedule, and the new routes are approved, both airlines will operate 73 weekly flights from China to Malaysia, with a weekly passenger capacity exceeding 10,000 individuals."
On Dec 15, Tiong announced the relaxation of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, introducing three new categories.
Under the new MM2H programme, the age requirement was lowered to 30 and above (versus 35 and above previously) and the programme has been extended to dependents aged between 21 and 34 who are not working or married in Malaysia.
Parents or parents-in-law are also eligible as dependents.
Previously, dependents only included spouses, children under 21 and any children with disabilities.