While Malaysia Airlines reworks its Australian operations, another Malaysian carrier is seeing opportunity in the local market and plans on tapping into it with new direct flights.
Commencing in 11 November this year, Malaysia’s first hybrid airline – Malindo Air – will fly from its hub in Kuala Lumpur to Perth.
The airline’s Chief Executive, Chandran Rama Muthy, said the new service is pending approval and is expecting to get the go-ahead by early October. In the meantime, GDS systems are slowly listing Malindo Air’s new route.
The additional new route will increase the airline’s network to eight countries, with operations currently underway in destinations such as Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Singapore.
“The additional new routes for Malindo mark the growth of the airline simultaneously with the growth of its fleet this year.”
Chandran Rama Muthy, Malindo Air CEO
The new route is likely to be operated by the carrier’s four new generation Boeing 737 aircraft, which are expected for delivery by the end of the year, Malaysia’s The Strait Times reported.
If the new route takes off with success, the airline could look at introducing services to other Australian cities where demand for Malaysia continues to rise.
Speaking to KarryOn last month, Tourism Malaysia’s Deputy Director General Dato’ Azizan Noordin said the Australian market is still one of the strongest in Malaysia despite the national carrier’s recent incidents.
In addition to new arrivals, the demographic of Aussies visiting the country is evolving from mature travellers to young couples, backpackers and families.