KUALA LUMPUR, 31 July 2025: Following robust load factors and sustained demand on its Kuala Lumpur – Trivandrum route, Malaysia Airlines will further strengthen its connectivity with South India by increasing frequencies to the city. 

Beginning 12 September 2025, the airline will introduce a fifth weekly service, with daily operations scheduled to commence from 1 December 2025. Tickets for the additional flight are open for bookings through all Malaysia Airlines’ official channels and appointed travel partners.

The fifth frequency (MH204) will depart from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) every Friday using a Boeing 737-800 with 162 seats. Currently, the airline flies four times weekly on the route — MH116 departing 2130 on Thursday and Sunday, and MH204 departing 2300 on Tuesday and Saturday.

The increase in frequency marks a significant step forward, reflecting the route’s impressive growth since its launch in November 2023, which began with twice-weekly flights before increasing to four times weekly in April 2024. Operating through its central hub in Kuala Lumpur, the airline continues to strengthen its role as the gateway to Asia and beyond.

Malaysia Airlines currently operates 77 weekly flights across ten key cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Trivandrum. With the new additions, this number will increase to 80 weekly flights by December 2025.

International travellers flying through Malaysia can also take advantage of Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme, which offers a domestic flight to one of seven domestic destinations within Malaysia with zero base fare. This value-added offering allows international travellers to explore more of Malaysia’s unique culture, nature, and heritage—all within a single itinerary.

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 JULY 2025: Tourism Malaysia welcomed the inaugural Batik Air’s direct flight, OD533, from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), Bangkok, to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) (SZB) on Monday.

Flagged as a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand, the daily flights underscore Batik Air’s commitment to position Subang Airport as a key hub city airport that will enhance travel accessibility ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

Operating on a Boeing 737 aircraft, the Subang–Bangkok route is Batik Air’s first international service from SZB, offering daily flights and seamless access for both business and leisure travellers. 

Located closer to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, Subang Airport is a convenient alternative to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The service flies to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK).

In addition to the Bangkok route, Batik Air also commenced direct flights from SZB to Kuching on Monday, further enhancing its domestic network and complementing its existing routes from SZB to Penang, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau (via BKI).

Tourism Malaysia, Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy stated: “We applaud Batik Air’s commitment to expanding Malaysia’s regional and domestic air connectivity.

These new routes are timely as we gear up for VM2026. Thailand remains one of our most important source markets, and enhanced accessibility will play a pivotal role in boosting visitor arrivals and supporting the growth of Malaysia’s tourism industry.”

Batik Air, Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy commented: “With these new routes, we are not only deepening our presence in Subang but also bringing travellers closer to the destinations they love — whether it’s exploring Bangkok’s vibrant streets or experiencing Kuching’s rich cultural charm.”

Batik Air currently operates 57 weekly flights between Malaysia and Thailand, connecting Kuala Lumpur (via KLIA Terminal 1) and Johor Bahru with several key Thai destinations, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai, offering 9,234 seats.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 30 July 2025: Preliminary June 2025 traffic figures released Monday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed continued growth in international passenger markets underpinned by rising travel demand ahead of the mid-year holiday season. 

Global air cargo volumes also continued to grow, supported by ongoing front-loading and re-routing of shipments amid prevailing trade-related uncertainties.

During June, the region’s airlines collectively carried 31.2 million international passengers, representing a 7.1% increase compared to the same month in the previous year. Measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), demand grew by 8.0% year-on-year, reflecting the moderation in growth rates in line with long-term trends since 2024. Available seat capacity increased at a slightly faster pace of 8.5%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point decline in the average international passenger load factor to 81.7%.

Meanwhile, international air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), grew by 5.6% year-on-year in June, on the back of a rebound in global manufacturing activity, notably in the consumer and intermediate goods segments. Offered freight capacity increased by 7.1%, outpacing the rise in demand and resulting in a 0.8 percentage point decline in the international freight load factor, to an average of 62.1% for the month.

Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said: “During the first half of 2025, Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 190.5 million international passengers, which is a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. International air cargo demand also recorded a relatively resilient 6% year-on-year growth.”

Menon added, “The expansion underscores the strength of the region’s economies, which supports the sustained growth in travel demand, even though there is uncertainty in the global trade environment. Cargo volumes are also growing as demand for air freight services, particularly in the e-commerce and time-sensitive segments, is still very strong.”

Looking ahead, he said: “The outlook for travel markets in the near term remains positive, bolstered by a rise in ticket bookings during the peak mid-year holiday season. However, the widespread introduction of tariffs signals mounting inflation on the horizon. The moderation in business confidence is also a reflection of growing concerns over the global economic outlook, with implications for both the air travel and cargo markets in the future. Asia Pacific carriers are alert to the cost pressures, while adapting to market conditions and seeking growth opportunities, both regionally and globally.”