KLIA, 10 January 2026 –
Malaysia Airlines is pleased to announce the resumption of flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Greater China market and strengthening connectivity between Malaysia and Western China, and supporting Malaysia’s inbound tourism ambitions under Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
The flight was met with strong demand, with the inaugural flight MH526 departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) on 9 January 2026, achieving an impressive load factor of 91% on its outbound leg. As a special tribute to the strong following of Manchester United among fans in Chengdu, the flight was operated using the airline’s Manchester United-themed aircraft livery, adding a celebratory touch to the occasion. A commemorative send-off event was held where passengers were warmly welcomed in true Malaysian Hospitality and presented with exclusive Malaysia Airlines merchandise. The event was attended by representatives from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), including Sagar Sanjay Dighe, Chief Executive Officer of MAG Culinary Solutions; Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airline Business; and Ibrahim Mohd Salleh, Chief Operating Officer of AeroDarat Services, marking a celebratory and memorable send-off for the new route.
With the addition of Chengdu, Malaysia Airlines now serves seven destinations across Greater China, reflecting continued confidence in the market. Operating up to seven times weekly, the route is expected to support growing two-way travel demand and strengthen business and leisure connectivity, and offer passengers seamless onward connections via Kuala Lumpur to destinations across ASEAN, South Asia, and Australasia.
The timing of the service aligns with the extension of mutual visa-free travel arrangements between Malaysia and China, enabling longer stays and encouraging greater travel flows between both countries.
The relaunch also highlights the broader strength of Malaysia–China relations across the MAG ecosystem, following MASkargo’s recent special-cargo operation transporting Malaysia’s new giant pandas from Chengdu to Kuala Lumpur under the renewed bilateral conservation agreement.
