BUSINESS

Malaysia Airlines Expands China Service as Travel and Investment Surge

Published: Sep. 12, 2025 4:19 a.m. GMT+8

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A Malaysia Airlines passenger jet. Photo: Bloomberg

Malaysia Airlines is expanding its China network with new and restored routes, betting on booming Chinese tourism and business investment under a visa-free travel policy.

Executives said the strongest demand comes from a mix of leisure travelers and business executives. Many Chinese companies are investing in Malaysia in sectors ranging from semiconductors to electric vehicles, while tourists continue to flock to Kuala Lumpur and beach destinations under a mutual visa-free policy.

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What Happened When

2006：: Malaysia Airlines suspended its nonstop service between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu.

2017：: Malaysia Airlines flew to 11 Chinese cities, including Wuhan, Chongqing, and Haikou, operating 90 flights per week.

2024：: A Chinese factory owner relocated his plant to Kuala Lumpur to sidestep U.S. tariffs and began flying monthly between China and Malaysia.

2025：: 20,000 pre-sale tickets for Chengdu flights by Malaysia Airlines were sold during Kuala Lumpur’s international travel fair.

First half of 2025：: 2.18 million Chinese visitors arrived in Malaysia, up 35.6% from a year earlier, as reported by Malaysia’s tourism bureau.

First half of 2025：: Malaysia Airlines’ China flights averaged an 81% load factor, according to Managing Director Izham Ismail.

Q2 2025：: Chinese and Malaysian carriers operated about 12,400 flights between the two countries, offering 2.49 million seats, up 36% and 32% respectively from Q2 2024.

Mid-2025：: Malaysia outperformed other Southeast Asian destinations during the recent peak season, bucking a regional downturn.

Earlier in September 2025：: Malaysia’s investment minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz stated that Chinese companies are leading new projects in Malaysia, including a major BYD factory.

AI generated, for reference only