Malaysia Airlines is expanding in India with three new destinations. This is a part of the airline’s effort to increase services to India and diversify its network.
Ahmedabad
Starting 1st December 2023, Malaysia Airlines will operate a 4-weekly service between Kuala Lumpur and Ahmedabad with the following schedule:
- Kuala Lumpur-Ahmedabad
- Departure time: 18:50 (23:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Arrival time: 21:40 (01:55 the next day when the flight departs Kuala Lumpur on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Flight time: 5 hours and 20/25 minutes
- Flight number: MH106/208
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- Ahmedabad-Kuala Lumpur
- Departure time: 22:40 (02:55 on Thursdays and Sundays)
- Arrival time: 06:45 (the next day) (02:55 the next day when the flight departs Kuala Lumpur on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Flight time: 5 hours and 35 minutes
- Flight number: MH107/209
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
Thiruvananthapuram
As of 9th November 2023, the Malaysian flag carrier will operate a 2-weekly service between Kuala Lumpur and Thiruvananthapuram with the following timings:
- Kuala Lumpur-Thiruvananthapuram
- Departure time: 21:30
- Arrival time: 23:00
- Flight time: 4 hours
- Flight number: MH116
- Frequency: Thursdays and Sundays
- Thiruvananthapuram-Kuala Lumpur
- Departure time: 00:01
- Arrival time: 06:45
- Flight time: 4 hours and 14 minutes
- Flight number: MH117
- Frequency: Mondays and Fridays
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Amritsar
Starting 8th November 2023, Malaysia Airlines will operate 2-flights-a-week between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar with the following schedule:
- Kuala Lumpur-Amritsar
- Departure time: 18:50
- Arrival time: 22:10
- Flight time: 5 hours and 50 minutes
- Flight number: MH118
- Frequency: Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Amritsar-Kuala Lumpur
- Departure time: 23:25
- Arrival time: 07:30 (the next day)
- Flight time: 5 hours and 35 minutes
- Flight number: MH119
- Frequency: Wednesdays and Saturdays
All of these routes will see the Boeing B737-800NG (Next Generation) aircraft deployed, which is the workhorse for Malaysia Airlines’ short and medium-haul network. The B737-800s seat 16 passenger in Business Class and 144 passengers in Economy Class.
India remains a key market for Malaysia Airlines, hence we are delighted to introduce three new routes into our Indian network, which will provide added convenience for travellers, strengthen our presence in this core market and extend our Malaysian Hospitality service even further. Currently, our average load factor on this route is at 81% YTD July 2023 signifying the growth and confidence for travel between the two markets. We are looking at restoring our pre-COVID-19 capacity back in the Indian market by the end of this year and will also look to increase flight frequencies to other destinations as we support seamless travels in Malaysia and beyond.
said Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
With the addition of these three destinations, the Kuala Lumpur-based carrier will now serve nine destinations in India. The airline already serves six destinations in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi.
What to make of this expansion?
Malaysia Airlines is an old player in the Malaysia-India market. The airline has not had a significant expansion in India since quite some time. The addition of these three destinations represents a 150% increase in the number of destinations served in India. This is a big thing for any airline and for any market, as this shows how reliable the market is and just how much demand the market has.
AirAsiaX and Malindo Air are the other Malaysian carriers that serve the Indian market. While there is no competition on Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram routes, the Amritsar route has some significant competition. Both AirAsiaX and Malindo Air operate 4-weekly flights to Amritsar, that too on the same days of the week. What’s interesting is that on Wednesdays, there will be three nonstop flights running between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar. AirAsiaX operates Airbus A330s on this route while Malindo Air and Malaysia Airlines deploy Boeing B737s.
India has long been one of the key markets for South-East Asian airlines and this expansion by Malaysia Airlines is a proof of just that!
Featured image by Malaysia Airlines
What do you think of Malaysia Airlines adding three new destinations in India? Let me know in the comments section below.
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