Malaysia Aviation Group accelerates growth with more choice for guests

Source: MAG. Malaysia Aviation Group announced new routes, more flights on routes and a new in-flight dining option.

With new routes, added frequencies, and in-flight dining innovations, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is building momentum towards becoming one of the world's top 10 global airlines by 2030. 

Malaysia Airlines will start flying daily between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) from 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.

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 services to Krabi (KBV), Siem Reap (SAI) and Cebu (CEB) from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 from November 2025. These additions strengthen Firefly's role in enhancing regional connectivity. 

Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group MD 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." 

The vegetarian satay will be available on Malaysia Airlines. Made from lion's mane mushroom, the satay will be available for Business Suite and Business Class passengers on selected sectors. This plant-based alternative is infused with the airline's signature marinade and served with cucumber and raw onion, delivering the same rich flavour as traditional satay. 

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, mainland China, India, the Maldives, and Bangladesh, while Firefly is boosting domestic and regional connectivity to Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Penang, and Johor Bahru. 

These network expansions are underpinned by MAG's ongoing fleet modernisation strategy. The introduction of the A330neo on select Australia and New Zealand routes offers state-of-the-art comfort, improved fuel efficiency, and an elevated in-flight experience. 

By Q126, 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.

Details

New routes and frequencies (currently available for sale)

 

Malaysia Airlines 

- KUL/Chengdu (TFU) and vice versa   | 7x weekly, (Monday to Sunday), from 9 January 2026

Firefly 

- KUL/Krabi (KBV) and vice versa         | 7x weekly (Monday to Sunday), from 17 November 2025

- KUL/Siem Reap (SAI) and vice versa | 3x weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays), from 27 November 2025 

- KUL/Cebu (CEB) and vice versa         | 5x weekly (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays), from 2 December 2025 

 

Additional flights on Malaysia Airlines

- KUL/Adelaide (ADL) and vice versa          | 2x more, to 7x weekly   | from 1 February 2026

- KUL/Perth (PER) and vice versa                | 2x more, to 14x weekly | from 1 December 2025

- KUL/Melbourne (MEL) and vice versa     | 3x more, to 21x weekly | from 30 October 2025

- KUL/Sydney (SYD) and vice versa             | 3x more, to 21x weekly | from 31 October 2025 

- KUL/Auckland (AKL) and vice versa         | 2x more, to 10x weekly | from 26 October 2025 

- KUL/Xiamen (XMN) and vice versa          | 1x more, to 4x weekly   | from 1 November 2025

- KUL/Trivandrum (TRV) and vice versa     | 2x more, to 7x weekly  | from 1 December 2025

- KUL/Ahmedabad (AMD) and vice versa  | 1x more, to 5x weekly  | from 26 October 2025 

- KUL/Maldives (MLE) and vice versa        | 4x more, to 11x weekly | from 26 October 2025 

- KUL/Dhaka (DAC) and vice versa             | 7x more, to 21x weekly  | from 5 November 2025 

 

 Additional flights on Firefly

 - KUL/Singapore (SIN) and vice versa    | 4x more, to 7x weekly   | since August 2025

- KUL/Johor Bahru (JHB) and vice versa | 3x more, to 7x weekly   | since August 2025

- KUL/Kelantan (KBR) and vice versa      | 3x more, to 7x weekly   | since August 2025

- KUL/Penang (PEN) and vice versa        | 3x more, to 10x weekly  | since August 2025

- KUL/Kuching (KCH) and vice versa       | 3x more, to 11x weekly  | since August 2025  

- KUL/Penang (PEN) and vice versa        | 3x more, to 10x weekly  | since August 2025

- KUL/Sibu (SBW) via and vice versa      | 1x more, to 3x weekly    | since September 2025

- PEN/Langkawi (LGK) and vice versa    | 2x more, to 10x weekly  | 1 January 2026

- Subang (SZB)/JHB and vice versa         | 5x more, to 26x weekly  | 1 December 2025

- SZB/PEN and vice versa                         | 7x more, to 42x weekly  | 1 December 2025

- KUL/Kota Kinabalu (BKI)                        | 7x more, to 14x weekly  | since August 2025
and vice versa 

- KUL/Terengganu (TGG)                          | 4x more, to 7x weekly    | since August 2025
and vice versa 

Qatar Airways adds flights to Muscat, Islamabad, Tehran from September

Qatar Airways has announced more flights to the popular destinations of Tehran, the capital of Iran, Islamabad, capital city of Pakistan, and Muscat, capital of Oman in response to a steady increase in passenger demand. 

Source: Qatar Airways. From left: Muscat, Islamabad, and Tehran.

The additional flights, which include four for Tehran, two for Islamabad and four for Muscat per week, will commence September 1, 3 and 16 respectively. The Doha-Muscat route will go up from 31 to 35 per week. Qatar Airways has five flights daily to Oman while Tehran, which is currently served with 14 flights a week, will see an increase to 18 flights weekly when it adds the four flights. 

The airline now flies to Islamabad once a day; two more flights added to the schedule bring the number of weekly flights up from seven to nine. Qatar Airways increased frequencies to Islamabad last year, from four flights a week to daily flights. 

The additional flights will help meet the needs of those travelling to and from the Americas, which is a popular destination for many passengers from Pakistan. The short connection time at Hamad International Airport in Doha is another strong draw for those looking to make the cross-Atlantic journey.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said: “People from all over the world are becoming more and more interested in discovering this part of the world. With such rich histories and stunning, undiscovered landscapes, these destinations are hidden gems that are slowly coming into their own.

“We have witnessed a great increase in passenger demand for both local passengers in each market, as well as international passengers looking to travel to each of these cities, and passengers on these flights can look forward to an enhanced travel experience with Qatar Airways’ five-star service as we welcome them onboard.”

The additional Doha – Tehran weekly flight schedule commencing September 1 (all times local)

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays

Depart Doha QR488 at 0720 hrs, arrive Tehran at 1055 hrs
Depart Tehran QR489 at 1155 hrs, arrive Doha at 1230 hrs


The two additional Doha – Islamabad flights commencing September 3 (all times local)

Wednesdays and Thursdays

Depart Doha QR616 at 0050 hrs, arrive Islamabad at 0630 hrs
Depart Islamabad QR617 at 0730 hrs, arrive Doha at 0915 hrs


The additional Doha – Muscat weekly flight schedule commencing September 16 (all times local)

Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Depart Doha QR1126 at 1440 hrs, arrive Muscat at 1705 hrs
Depart Muscat QR1127 at 1805 hrs, arrive Doha at 1830 hrs