Malaysia Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to the China market through trade events and new partnerships in October, aimed at improving connectivity and services for travellers while expanding its network.
The Malaysia Airlines Trade Gala in Shanghai on October 15 brought together government officials, corporate partners and travel agents to mark the airline’s ties with China and outline its growth plans. During China’s Golden Week holiday from October 1 to 8, the airline achieved over 95 per cent load factor across its China network, carrying more than 6,000 outbound passengers.
This was followed by a Media and Partners Engagement in Chengdu on October 21, focusing on the upcoming daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu from January 2026. Operated by Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 737-8, the service will provide 2,436 weekly seats, increasing the China network to seven gateways with up to 60 weekly flights.
The airline also signed four key agreements with Chinese partners to enhance travel distribution, payments and digital services. Malaysia Airlines will be Trip.Biz HK ’s preferred airline for small and medium enterprises across 25 markets, with integrated platforms and corporate seminars to support business travel. It will also collaborate with Ant International on Alipay+ for payment solutions, marketing campaigns and personalised travel services, and with UnionPay International to improve payment access, marketing, and customer insights.
A renewed agreement with Chengdu Spring Travel will expand services operated by Firefly from Chongqing and Macau to Malaysia and support inbound travel promotions for Visit Malaysia 2026.
Malaysia Airlines continues to support connectivity and tourism between Malaysia and China and welcomes the reciprocal visa-free travel arrangement, which is expected to increase demand. The airline will also continue working with government and industry partners to promote Malaysia as a destination and maintain its role in connecting China with South-east Asia and beyond.
Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of airlines from Malaysia Aviation Group, said: “China remains a cornerstone of our international strategy, and our partnerships here reflect our long-term commitment to the market.
“Starting this November, we will increase Xiamen flights to four times weekly and resume daily Chengdu services in January 2026, bringing our network to seven gateways and up to 60 weekly flights across China.
“These expansions, alongside our new collaborations with leading partners, will further strengthen our position as the gateway of choice for Chinese travellers connecting through Kuala Lumpur to South-east Asia, Australasia and beyond.”
