Malaysia Airlines Berhad is intensifying its focus on India, its largest revenue-generating market, with ambitions to become a core service provider connecting the country to global destinations. Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, Izham bin Ismail, emphasized India’s critical role in the airline’s strategy, citing its robust economic growth and burgeoning travel demand.
India, with a 6.5% GDP growth rate, 40% urbanization, and a rising middle class with disposable income, is a “dynamic and interesting market,” Ismail told PTI. The airline currently operates 77 weekly flights to 10 Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. By December 2025, this will increase to 80 flights, with added frequencies to Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram. In the first half of 2025, Malaysia Airlines carried 1.3 million passengers to and from India, contributing 11% of its revenue and 20% of its global passenger volume.
Unlike some Southeast Asian carriers that have pursued joint ventures or domestic operations in India, Malaysia Airlines will remain a foreign carrier, prioritizing deep partnerships over local market disruption. “Why create havoc in someone’s home? I’d rather visit as a friend,” Ismail said, highlighting the airline’s strong codeshare agreement with IndiGo, which extends its reach to tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Varanasi, Patna, Tiruchirappalli, Goa, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam. The airline also collaborates with Air India, though it leans more heavily on IndiGo for domestic connectivity.
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Malaysia Airlines is capitalizing on India’s lack of direct flights to China by offering seamless connections via its Kuala Lumpur hub, alongside strong routes to Australia and New Zealand. “We see India’s growth and ambition, and we want to be part of 10-15% of that journey,” Ismail noted, positioning the airline as an “ambassador on wings” for India-Malaysia ties.
The airline’s strategy for 2025 focuses on three pillars: expanding flight frequencies, enhancing customer experience, and strengthening partnerships. Instead of adding new Indian destinations in 2025, Malaysia Airlines is prioritizing increased seat capacity and flight frequency, with cities like Jaipur under consideration for 2026-27. Investments in fleet modernization include Airbus A330neo aircraft with all-suite Business Class cabins and Boeing 737-8 and 737-10 planes featuring lie-flat seats, catering to India’s growing demand for premium travel.
Customer experience remains a priority, with upgrades to in-flight dining through partnerships like Oberoi Flight Kitchen, enhanced in-flight entertainment with Bollywood content, and programs like MHexplorer for students and MHcorporate for business travelers. The “Bonus Side Trip” program, offering free domestic flights within Malaysia for transiting passengers, has gained traction among Indian travelers. Collaborations with Indian tour operators, Kerala Tourism, and influencers, alongside a global partnership with Manchester United, further boost brand affinity.
Ismail emphasized a balanced approach to growth, stating, “You don’t splash money on planes; you invest where it matters most—our customers.” The airline’s digital platforms are also being upgraded, with initiatives like MHcruise and MHrail integrating air travel with other transport modes to meet evolving traveler preferences.
Amid intense competition from carriers like AirAsia, Scoot, and Thai Airways in the India-Southeast Asia corridor, Malaysia Airlines is leveraging India’s 14-15% contribution to GDP from travel and tourism. With a projected 14% passenger growth to surpass 1.3 million in FY25, the airline’s strategic focus on frequency, partnerships, and premium offerings positions it to capture a significant share of India’s booming outbound travel market.
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