Sepang, 24 July 2024 – Amal by Malaysia Airlines, the dedicated Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage arm of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), successfully launched its inaugural services from Johor Bahru to Madinah on 23 July 2024, marking the airline’s first direct flight to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia outside of its home base at KLIA Terminal 1 (KUL).
The once-weekly flight MH162 departed from Senai International Airport (JHB) to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Madinah International Airport (MED) at 11:35am local time, utilising the airline’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft, featuring 284 seats, including 18 in Business Class and 265 in Economy Class. Amal will also be operating a once-weekly flight from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) to JHB which will depart at 6:40pm every Monday via flight MH155, providing pilgrims the opportunity to travel directly to JHB with ease.
Launched in 2019, Amal by Malaysia Airlines is committed to providing a spiritually enriching journey with its unique customer value proposition and in-flight services. Passengers can experience specialised in-flight entertainment system (IFE) announcements, including the Talbiyah and Miqat on the first leg of the journey. The call to prayer (Azan) and sermon (Tazkirah) are also available onboard, ensuring a meaningful and reflective travel experience.
Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Chief Executive Officer of Airlines from MAG said, “We are thrilled to introduce this direct flight from Johor Bahru to Madinah, as well as from Jeddah to Johor Bahru, which will provide convenience for pilgrims from the southern region of Malaysia, as well as those travelling from Singapore and Indonesian cities such as Batam, Bintan, and Riau. This service demonstrates our commitment to providing convenient and comfortable travel options for our valued pilgrims, and we look forward to continuing our mission of supporting the religious and spiritual needs of our community.”
Mr. Kennedy Ayu, CEO of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB), expressed his enthusiasm for the new service, “We are honoured to partner with Amal by Malaysia Airlines in welcoming this inaugural direct flight from Johor Bahru to Madinah and from Jeddah to Johor Bahru. This initiative reflects our commitment to meeting the diverse travel needs of our passengers and is a significant step in our mission to position Senai International Airport as a leading aviation hub and the main gateway to the Southern region of Malaysia. The simplified check-in processes and easy access due to the compact size of the airport make Senai International Airport an ideal choice for travellers.
The flight not only facilitates Umrah pilgrims and travellers from Johor Bahru, but it also opens new opportunities for business professionals and travellers from neighbouring regions, such as Batam, Sabah, and Sarawak. This new route also introduces Johor Bahru to the Middle Eastern market, showcasing the city’s attractions, including theme parks, shopping malls, local delicacies, and beautiful beaches. This direct flight enhances connectivity and convenience, and with the addition of Madinah, Senai International Airport now operates to 19 destinations. We look forward to welcoming more passengers through Senai International Airport.”
To celebrate the significant milestone, passengers on the inaugural flight received special goodie bags. The departure was witnessed by senior executives from Senai International Airport and Malaysia Airlines, who bid farewell to the Umrah pilgrims, underscoring the importance of this new service in enhancing connectivity and convenience for travellers.
