Frog & Wolf PR News

05 Sep 2025

Malaysia Aviation Group accelerates growth with new routes, added frequencies and elevated in-flight experience

Malaysia Aviation Group accelerates growth with new routes, added frequencies and elevated in-flight experience: Malaysia Aviation Group accelerates growth with new routes, added frequencies and elevated in-flight experience (1)
  • 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 

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) today 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. 

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. 

Notes to editors

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 Aviation Group

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is a global aviation organisation comprising three focused business portfolios from Airlines, Loyalty and Travel Services (LTS) and Aviation Services.

Its current Airlines business portfolio that serves the global, domestic and segmented market comprises Malaysia Airlines – the national carrier of Malaysia, Firefly and MASwings – the regional airlines focused on serving communities across Malaysia, and AMAL by Malaysia Airlines – leading one-stop pilgrimage travel solutions centre.

MAG also focuses on Aviation Services business such as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), cargo, ground handling and training that houses MAB Engineering, MASkargo – one-stop cargo logistic and terminal operations service provider, AeroDarat – one-stop ground handling solution provider and Malaysia Airlines Academy – onestop Aviation and Hospitality Centre of Excellence.

The Loyalty and Travel Services (LTS) business portfolio focuses on providing end-to-end travel solutions and loyalty programs, complementing its established strength and expertise in the airline and aviation service businesses. It comprises Journify - the integrated one-stop travel and lifestyle digital platform, Enrich – the award-winning Travel & Lifestyle Loyalty Programme of Malaysia Airlines; and MHholidays and Firefly Holidays – the tour operating arm for the Group.

With the clear business portfolios, MAG is set to achieve its vision anchored on becoming Asia’s Leading Travel and Aviation Services Group, focused on delivering highly customised, end-to-end travel solutions by 2025.

Issued on behalf of Group Communications, Malaysia Aviation Group.

For further press information and images, please contact: Dara Soeharto (dara@frogandwolfpr.com), Leanne Barton (leanne@frogandwolfpr.com), Nat Frogley (nat@frogandwolfpr.com), or Flora Gandolfo (flora@frogandwolfpr.com) at Frog & Wolf PR