Malaysia to Launch 10 New International Flight Routes to Boost Tourism

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 — Malaysia is set to launch 10 new international flight routes this month, including a rental route, adding over 3,100 weekly flights. The initiative will connect five key destinations—Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi, and Penang—offering more travel options and benefiting local tourism.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing highlighted that the new routes will enhance Malaysia’s global competitiveness, with international tourist arrivals already surpassing 20.5 million by October. The routes will be introduced progressively, starting with daily Vietjet flights between Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, followed by several other routes linking Malaysia with India, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.

The expansion will increase weekly international flights to Malaysia by 50, boosting passenger capacity from 612,423 to nearly 620,000. Tiong expressed confidence that this move will strengthen Malaysia's position as a top global tourist destination.