KLIA, Oct 16: Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo have formalised a strategic codeshare partnership aimed at enhancing connectivity between Malaysia and India.
This collaboration, following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in April 2024, will offer more travel options to passengers across both nations.
As part of the agreement, Malaysia Airlines will expand its reach in India by adding its “MH” flight code to seven domestic destinations: Kolkata, Varanasi, Patna, Tiruchirappalli, Goa, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam.
These destinations complement Malaysia Airlines’ existing routes to 10 key Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Trivandrum, and Kolkata.
Conversely, IndiGo’s “6E” flight code will be added to Malaysia Airlines’ domestic flights, allowing IndiGo passengers to travel to Penang, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching.
This opens up more options for tourists looking to explore Malaysia.
Malaysia Aviation Group Group Managing Director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the opportunity it creates for both leisure and business travel.
“This collaboration allows us to offer Malaysia Airlines customers greater access to India’s rich cultural and economic landscape, while warmly welcoming IndiGo passengers to experience the unique charm of Malaysian Hospitality,” he said.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers echoed this sentiment, saying the partnership underscores their commitment to “bridging the skies between India and Malaysia” and strengthens the cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
Earlier, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced that the delivery of its first Airbus A330neo aircraft has been delayed. Originally scheduled for September 2024, the delivery is now expected by late November 2024 due to issues identified by Airbus during the flight line stage.
This delay has affected Malaysia Airlines’ plans to operate its inaugural A330neo flight to Melbourne on 25th November 2024.
The airline will now use the A330-300 for this and subsequent flights without altering the existing schedule.
MAG is working closely with Airbus and aircraft lessor Avolon to finalise a new delivery timeline, with five A330neo aircraft expected by the first quarter of 2025.
Additionally, MAG is monitoring the delivery status of its Boeing 737-8 aircraft, collaborating with Boeing and lessor AirLease Corp to address the evolving situation.
Datuk Captain Izham expressed disappointment over the delays, acknowledging their disruption to the company’s fleet modernisation plans but reaffirmed the group’s commitment to its fleet upgrade efforts and customer service excellence.
MAG continues to work closely with manufacturers and lessors to minimise disruptions while maintaining high safety standards.
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