India is now the biggest market for Malaysia Airlines, both in terms of revenue and passenger numbers, among all 24 countries and 67 destinations the airline serves.
The airline has increased its focus on India by shifting flights from its ASEAN and domestic Malaysian routes. Currently, Malaysia Airlines operates 77 flights a week to 10 Indian cities and carried 13 lakh passengers to and from India in just the first half of this year. By December, the airline will increase this to 80 weekly flights, with even more flights planned for next year.
Why India is so important for Malaysia Airlines:
- Travel demand from India is strong — for leisure, business, and visiting family and friends.
- The Indian economy is growing quickly, with more urbanisation and a rising middle class.
- Indian airlines have over 2,000 planes on order, showing strong future travel demand.
- People in India have stable disposable income, making travel more affordable.
Next plans:
Since flight rights to major Indian cities (metros) are already at their limit under current agreements, Malaysia Airlines now plans to start flying to non-metro cities next year. They are also increasing frequency on some existing routes.
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The airline’s partnership with IndiGo helps passengers connect to more domestic destinations within India.
Izham bin Ismail, the Group MD of Malaysia Aviation Group, said the decision to increase focus on India by reducing flights to other regions was the right move. “We took a bet on India at the right time, and it’s paying off,” he said.
