Ahmedabad: In a significant development for travellers hailing from Gujarat, Malaysia Airlines commenced its operations between Ahmedabad and Kuala Lumpur on December 1, 2023. The inaugural flight departing from Kuala Lumpur via MH106 was warmly welcomed upon arrival at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) at 9:40 pm local time, before continuing its journey back to Kuala Lumpur at 10:40 pm local time via flight MH107.

This development follows the commencement of Malaysia Airlines’ direct operations from Amritsar and Trivandrum last month. With the addition of direct services from Ahmedabad, the airline will be operating 65 weekly flights to India from nine key hubs. Presently, the airline operates flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, and Trivandrum. In addition, the airline also recently announced that beginning  January 15, 2024, it will be increasing its frequency to Amritsar from two times weekly to four times weekly following strong demands and load factor performance.

Commenting on the development, Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, “India presents a tremendous opportunity, given the burgeoning demand and passenger traffic in the recent past. The launch of direct flights between Ahmedabad and Kuala Lumpur not only reaffirms our commitment to providing seamless travel experiences but also underscores the pivotal role India plays in the ever-evolving landscape of air travel. In addition, with the commencement of 30-day visa-free entry for visitors from India into Malaysia, we look forward to providing travellers with more options for connectivity and convenience as they embark on their journeys onboard Malaysian Hospitality.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, said, “Ahmedabad remains the cultural and commercial epicentre of Gujarat and a significant part of western India. We extend our heartiest congratulations to Malaysia Airlines and hope that the new services will help bolster connectivity, fostering cultural and economic ties between these two vibrant regions.”