Malaysia Aviation Group Accelerates Growth with New Routes, Added Frequencies and Elevated In-Flight Experience
Malaysia Airlines Berhad
- Malaysia Airlines resumes flights to Chengdu from January 2026
- Firefly to launch new services to Krabi, Siem Reap and Cebu from November 2025
- Increased frequencies across ASEAN, South Asia, China, Australia and New Zealand to strengthen connectivity
- Introduction of Malaysia Airlines’ first vegetarian satay, expanding menu variety for passengers
Auckland, 12 September 2025 – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) unveiled significant enhancements to its network and product offering, reinforcing the Group’s growth strategy and commitment to delivering greater connectivity and elevated travel experiences across its airlines. With new routes, added frequencies, and innovative in-flight dining, MAG continues to build momentum as it strengthens its regional presence while charting Malaysia Airlines’ journey towards becoming one of the world’s Top 10 global airlines by 2030. The announcement was made over the weekend at the MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s largest International Travel Fair.
Malaysia Airlines will commence daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) beginning 9 January 2026, bringing the airline’s network in Greater China to seven destinations. This expansion reinforces its presence in one of the region’s fastest-growing markets for both business and leisure travel, further supported by the recent introduction of reciprocal visa-free entry between Malaysia and China. The airline currently operates flights to Beijing (PKX), Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Xiamen (XMN), Hong Kong (HKG), and Taipei (TPE).
Meanwhile, Firefly will launch new jet services to Krabi (KBV), Siem Reap (SAI) and Cebu (CEB) from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 from November 2025 onwards. These additions strengthen Firefly’s role in enhancing regional connectivity, providing travellers with seamless access to popular destinations across ASEAN, while supporting both tourism and business travel.
Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, “With these new routes and expanded frequencies, MAG is strengthening its role as the gateway to Asia and beyond, making it easier for travellers to discover top destinations across the region and further afield. At the same time, we remain focused on delivering a premium in-flight experience that reflects our commitment to Malaysian Hospitality. Innovations such as our new vegetarian satay is just one example of how we continue to innovate while staying true to our heritage, offering more variety to meet evolving customer expectations. With the networks we are expanding, the products we are enhancing, and the people driving these efforts, Malaysia Aviation Group is ready to meet the future with confidence and deliver value for our customers and our nation.”
Complementing its network expansion, Malaysia Airlines has introduced a vegetarian satay made from tender Lion’s Mane mushroom, available for Business Suite and Business Class passengers on selected sectors. Infused with the airline’s signature marinade and served with cucumber and raw onion, this plant-based bites delivers the same rich flavour as the traditional satay while offering a wholesome alternative for vegetarian travellers.
In addition to new routes, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will also increase frequencies across their network beginning October 2025. Malaysia Airlines is adding more services to Australia, New Zealand, China, India, the Maldives, and Bangladesh, while Firefly is boosting domestic and regional connectivity to Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Penang, and Johor Bahru. These enhancements give travellers greater choice and flexibility, supporting tourism, trade, and stronger people-to-people ties across Asia and beyond.
These network expansions are underpinned by MAG’s ongoing fleet modernisation strategy. The introduction of the A330neo on select Australia and New Zealand routes is a significant step forward, offering state-of-the-art comfort, improved fuel efficiency, and an elevated in-flight experience. By the first quarter of 2026, Malaysia Airlines will operate the youngest widebody fleet into Australasia, a milestone that underscores both the Group’s sustainability agenda and its commitment to delivering service excellence with the signature warmth of Malaysian Hospitality.
As the returning Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor of MATTA Fair 2025, MAG is transforming this September’s edition into its most dynamic showcase yet through the MAG Arena, which reimagines more than 70 booths into a futuristic travel experience. Building on the success of April’s edition, the MAG Arena will spotlight Malaysia Airlines’ and Firefly’s networks and cabin products, cutting-edge digital innovations including AI-powered hospitality, exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with global and local sports icons, and rewarding offers for visitors throughout the three-day Fair held at MITEC Kuala Lumpur.
In conjunction with the launch of new routes and additional frequencies, Malaysia Airlines is offering exclusive early-bird fares to over 70 destinations across their network where travellers can enjoy return economy fares starting from NZD 1,269 to Asia and from NZD 2,149 to Europe. The "Time for Advance Travel” promotion period runs until 30 September 2025, for travel between 1 February 2026 and 31 August 2026.
For more information and to book your next holiday, visit the official Malaysia Airlines website at
www.malaysiaairlines.com or download the app for the best fares conveniently at your fingertips.
-ENDS-
Appendix 1 – New Routes and Frequencies
|
Airline |
Route |
Frequency |
Open for Sale Date |
Inaugural Flight Date |
|
Malaysia Airlines |
KUL/Chengdu (TFU) vv |
7x weekly (Mon-Sun) |
5 Sep 2025 |
9 Jan 2026 |
|
Firefly |
KUL/Krabi (KBV) vv |
7x weekly (Mon-Sun) |
17 Nov 2025 | |
|
KUL/Siem Reap (SAI) vv |
3x weekly (Tue, Thu, Sat) |
27 Nov 2025 | ||
|
KUL/Cebu (CEB) vv |
5x weekly (Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun) |
2 Dec 2025 |
Appendix 2 – Malaysia Airlines’ Additional Frequencies
|
Region |
Route |
Frequency (Before Increase) |
Frequency (After Increase) |
Effective Date |
|
Australia and New Zealand |
KUL/ Adelaide (ADL) vv |
5x weekly |
7x weekly |
1 Feb 2026 |
|
KUL/Perth (PER) vv |
12x weekly |
14x weekly |
1 Dec 2025 |
|
|
KUL/Melbourne (MEL) vv |
18x weekly |
21x weekly |
30 Oct 2025 |
|
|
KUL/Sydney (SYD) vv |
18x weekly |
21x weekly |
31 Oct 2025 |
|
|
KUL/Auckland (AKL) vv |
8x weekly |
10x weekly |
26 Oct 2025 |
|
|
East Asia / China |
KUL/Xiamen (XMN) vv |
3x weekly |
4x weekly |
1 Nov 2025 |
|
South Asia |
KUL/Trivandrum (TRV) vv |
5x weekly |
7x weekly |
1 Dec 2025 |
|
KUL/Ahmedabad (AMD) vv |
4x weekly |
5x weekly |
26 Oct 2025 |
|
|
KUL/Maldives (MLE) vv |
7x weekly |
11x weekly |
26 Oct 2025 |
|
|
KUL/Dhaka (DAC) vv |
14x weekly |
21x weekly |
5 Nov 2025 |
Appendix 3 – Firefly’s Additional Frequencies
|
Route |
Frequency (Before Increase) |
Frequency (After Increase) |
Effective Date |
|
KUL/Singapore (SIN) vv |
3x weekly |
7x weekly |
22 Aug 2025 |
|
KUL/Johor Bahru (JHB) vv |
4x weekly |
7x weekly |
23 Aug 2025 |
|
KUL/Kelantan (KBR) vv |
4x weekly |
7x weekly |
30 Aug 2025 |
|
KUL/Penang (PEN) vv |
7x weekly |
10x weekly |
26 Aug 2025 |
|
KUL/Kota Kinabalu (BKI) vv |
7x weekly |
14x weekly |
21 Aug 2025 |
|
KUL/Kuching (KCH) vv |
8x weekly |
11x weekly |
21 Aug 2025 |
|
KUL/Terengganu (TGG) vv |
3x weekly |
7x weekly |
30 Aug 2025 |
|
KUL/Sibu (SBW) vv |
2x weekly |
3x weekly |
3 Sept 2025 |
|
Penang (PEN) /Langkawi (LGK) vv |
8x weekly |
10x weekly |
1 Jan 2026 |
|
Subang (SZB)/Johor Bahru (JHB) vv |
21x weekly |
26x weekly |
1 Dec 2025 |
|
Subang (SZB)/Penang (PEN) vv |
35x weekly |
42x weekly |
About Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines is the national carrier of Malaysia, offering the best way to fly to, from and around Malaysia through its premium and full-service offerings. Malaysia Airlines carries up to 40,000 guests daily on memorable journeys inspired by Malaysia’s diverse richness. As the nation’s flag bearer, it embodies the incredible diversity of Malaysia; capturing its rich traditions, cultures and cuisines via its inimitable Malaysian Hospitality across all customer touch points.
Since September 2015, the airline has been owned and operated by Malaysia Airlines Berhad. It is part of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), a global aviation organisation that comprises of different aviation business and lifestyle travel solution portfolios aimed at serving global air travel needs. The airline is committed to facilitating safe and seamless travels by placing safety and hygiene as the anchor across all end-to-end consumer touchpoints in line with its MHFlySafe initiative. Via its alliance with oneworld®, Malaysia Airlines offers superior connectivity to more than 900 destinations in 170 territories across the globe. For more information, please visit www.malaysiaairlines.com and download the Malaysia Airlines app to get the latest promotions conveniently at your fingertips.
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