TBM Staff - Mumbai Malaysia Airlines is gearing up for a substantial boost in its flight frequencies to India, anticipating a surge in international travel from the country.
With plans to increase capacity by over 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year, the airline’s Group MD, Captain Iham Ismail, revealed that load factors on India routes have consistently surpassed 80%.
In a recent interview, Captain Ismail disclosed that Malaysia Airlines aims to cater to around 2 million passengers from India in FY24. The airline strengthened its ties with the Indian market in Q4 2023 by introducing three new routes – Amritsar, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad.
Presently operating 69 weekly flights from nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad, Malaysia Airlines is set to further expand its offerings. The frequency from Trivandrum will see a notable increase from two to four times weekly starting April 2024, bringing the total weekly flights to 71.
Captain Ismail outlined the airline’s future plans, indicating a gradual addition of new routes to meet rising travel demands. Prospective destinations include the northeast region with a focus on Guwahati and Kolkata, as well as potential routes to southern locations such as Trichy, Vizag, and Goa.
The airline has set ambitious targets for market share growth, aiming to double its 2023 performance by achieving a 40% improvement by 2025. Notably, Malaysia Airlines is actively working on establishing a deep codeshare with an Indian carrier, building on its existing interline agreement with Vistara. These strategic partnerships aim to enhance connectivity and provide travellers with more options.
