Business

Malaysia Airlines Targets India's Non-Metro Cities as Its Top Revenue and Passenger Market

India: A Priority Market for Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines Berhad has identified India as its single largest market, outperforming 23 other countries and 66 territories in terms of both revenue and passenger numbers. With 77 weekly flights connecting 10 Indian cities, the airline has transported 1.3 million passengers in and out of India in the first half of this year alone.

India top market for Malaysia Air, eyeing non-metros: Group MD

Expanding Reach Beyond Metros

With bilateral agreements limiting flights to metro cities, Malaysia Airlines is now setting its sights on India's non-metro regions. "India is a very important market to us. We are evaluating other non-metro cities where we could deploy," said Izham bin Ismail, Group MD of Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad.

Strategic Growth and Partnerships

The airline plans to increase its weekly flights to 80 by December and further expand next year. A codeshare agreement with IndiGo facilitates seamless connectivity for passengers to domestic destinations within India.

Why India?

"The Indian economy is growing at a truly impressive pace," Ismail noted, highlighting the rising urbanization, growing middle-class income, and stable disposable income as key factors driving the airline's focus on India.