Group CEO Nasaruddin Bakar said the airline would add Shenzhen and Changsha as its eighth and ninth Chinese destinations later this year.
The airline will also resume flights to Fukuoka, its third destination in Japan, where existing routes have seen load factors of about 90% over the same period.
“Demand for travel to Japan is at an all-time high, and we expect this strength to continue,” Nasaruddin said at a press conference here, citing the airline’s partnership with Japan Airlines.
Nasaruddin said the China market had performed strongly, recording an average load factor of 85% in the first quarter of 2026, supported by mutual visa-free travel with Malaysia.
He said Malaysia Airlines was also growing its fleet to support expansion, having taken delivery of 10 Airbus A330neo and 14 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, with more expected.
MAG chief commercial officer of airline business Dersenish Aresandiran said promotional fares would be offered to mark this expansion, with tickets to Changsha and Shenzhen starting from RM1,088, while fares to Fukuoka will start from RM1,788.
He said the airline was also increasing flight frequencies across several regions, including Asean, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand, covering destinations such as Brisbane, Manila and Colombo.
Nasaruddin said Malaysia Airlines was positioning Kuala Lumpur as a strong aviation hub, capable of competing with Singapore and Bangkok, especially for connecting long-haul and regional traffic.
He said yesterday that MAG saw the disruption to key aviation gateways from the Middle East conflict as an opportunity for KLIA to strengthen its role as a transit hub.
He said initiatives such as the “bonus side trip” programme, which offers passengers complimentary travel to selected domestic destinations including Langkawi, would help boost connectivity.
Nasaruddin also said MAG remained guided by the need for commercial sustainability while supporting national economic growth, especially ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
He acknowledged ongoing industry challenges, including the Middle East crisis, and said MAG had set up a task force to navigate uncertainties and ensure that the airline remains resilient.