KUALA LUMPUR (June 25): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is expanding connectivity to China and Indonesia with four new routes introduced by domestic and international airlines, boosting travel opportunities for tourism, trade and business travel.

The new routes, operated by Hainan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Wings Air and AirAsia, link Kuala Lumpur with Chinese cities including Chongqing (CKG) and Dalian (DLC) via Nanjing (NKG), the Melaka Airport (MKZ) with Pekanbaru (PKU), and Kota Bharu (KBR) with Jakarta (CGK).

"It is very encouraging that this growth is taking place across the network," managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said in a statement on Thursday.

"This broadens access to new markets, supports tourism and business activity, and creates greater travel options for passengers," he added.

MAHB said China-based Hainan Airlines already commenced flights between Chongqing (CKG) and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) on May 16, followed by China Eastern Airlines’ launch of flights from Dalian (DLC) via Nanjing (NKG) on June 23.

With the launch of these new services, MAHB’s network now serves 15 China-based airlines.

Meanwhile, Indonesia-based Wings Air introduced three weekly flights on June 10 between Pekanbaru (PKU) and the Melaka Airport (MKZ), while AirAsia launched four weekly flights linking Jakarta (CGK) and the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu (KBR), on June 16.

‘’The additional services further strengthen Malaysia's role as a gateway between Southeast Asia and key growth markets in China and Indonesia,’’ MAHB said.

‘’Enhanced connectivity across both KLIA and regional airports supports tourism and economic activity nationwide while improving access to destinations across the region,’’ MAHB added.