Mumbai, 12 October 2026 – Malaysia Airlines is building on strong demand in India by deepening its engagement with the travel trade and formalising strategic collaborations with PayU, Times Black and Jio Network to further broaden its reach among Indian consumers.
The airline hosted its annual India Trade Gala Dinner in Mumbai on 8 October 2026, recognising the important role of its travel trade partners in supporting Malaysia Airlines’ growth in India. The Top Agents Awards honoured leading partners for their performance and contribution, while the evening also provided an opportunity to share priorities for the year ahead and build on the collaboration already established across the market.
Malaysia Airlines currently operates 80 weekly flights across 10 cities in India, connecting travellers through its main hub in Kuala Lumpur to destinations across Malaysia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. In the first half of 2026, the airline carried close to a million passengers between India and Malaysia, representing a 10% increase year-on-year, with demand spanning both leisure and premium travel segments. The breadth of the network, together with continued passenger growth, underscores the strength of travel ties between India, Malaysia and the wider region.
Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, “India is an important market for us, not only for point-to-point demand, but also for the opportunities it presents through our Kuala Lumpur hub. Our travel trade partners are central to how we reach and serve this market, and we value the role they play in growing travel between India and Malaysia and beyond. At the same time, we are broadening our engagement with Indian consumers through new collaborations that bring together complementary strengths across payments, lifestyle and digital platforms. Together, these efforts support our ambition to make Malaysia Airlines a preferred partner for travellers from India and enhance the connectivity that links India with Malaysia and the wider region.”
The airline also formalised three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Pay U, a leading digital payments and financial services provider; Times Black, a premium lifestyle and experiences platform; and Jio Network, a leading digital and media network in India. The collaborations will explore opportunities across digital payments, premium lifestyle engagement and digital media outreach, supporting the airline’s ambition to deliver more relevant, seamless and connected experiences throughout the customer journey.
These initiatives reflect Malaysia Airlines’ continued commitment to India, leveraging its Kuala Lumpur hub, extensive network and growing consumer reach to facilitate more travel between India, Malaysia and beyond. As the national carrier, the airline will continue to support Visit Malaysia 2026 by encouraging more Indian travellers to discover Malaysia and its diverse destinations, while showcasing the warmth of Malaysian Hospitality throughout the journey.
