Malaysia Airlines has announced its return to Brisbane, reinstating direct flights to Queensland from November 29 with five weekly services, following a two-year hiatus. The airline suspended flights to Brisbane in March 2023 as part of cost-cutting measures and efforts to adjust its operations.
In addition to resuming Brisbane flights, Malaysia Airlines will increase its frequencies to Melbourne and Sydney.
Flights between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne will increase from 16 to 18 weekly services from September 29. Services to Sydney will rise from 17 to 18 weekly flights from October 4, with a further increase to 21 weekly flights from October 31.
Malaysia Aviation Group managing director, Izham Ismail, said this is part of Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to the Australian market and the group’s broader efforts to expand its Asia-Pacific network and position Kuala Lumpur as a key transit hub.
The increased capacity is expected to provide improved connectivity and more travel options for passengers across the region.
Karen Saw, country manager, Malaysia, Tourism Australia, shared that in the previous year, Malaysian visitors to Australia totalled 202,600 arrivals, a 15 per cent year-on-year increase over 2023.
She noted that over 80 per cent of outbound travel from Malaysia to Australia last year were repeat visits.
Saw added: “In our research, we have found that Malaysians are drawn to our cities, wildlife, landscapes and aquatic destinations – which we have leveraged our Aussie Specialist Travel Agents to promote in market.
“We also continue to work closely with airline partners such as Malaysia Airlines, whose increase in flights to Australian destinations like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be a valuable move to boost arrival numbers from Malaysia.”
