PETALING JAYA: Frequency of flights between Malaysia and China will increase to 30 weekly, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Dr Wee, following a recent bilateral meeting with China Civil Aviation Administration deputy administrator Cui Xiao Feng at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) headquarters in Montreal, Canada, said both countries are sharing a common interest for recovery of the civil aviation market.
"In our meeting that lasted almost an hour, we exchanged views on several aviation-related issues.
"Flight frequency between Malaysia and China will soon be increased to a total 30 of flights per week, which only made up 6.7% of the total flights between the two countries and provides ample room for the increase of flights.
"Previously before the pandemic, there were about 450 flights operated between the two countries.
"We need to foster better working relationships to gradually increase the number of flights between the countries," he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 29).
Dr Wee added that China has been Malaysia’s largest trade partner since 2009, and has remained so for the past 13 years.
"With the recovery of trade activities, the business communities between the two countries are eager to resume travelling between the two destinations.
"The recovery of civil aviation in the Asia Pacific region is very much dependent on the Chinese market, which contributes to 20% of the global market pre-pandemic.
"I am glad to know that travel restrictions for international flights will be eased in stages.
"Cui also expressed China’s willingness to communicate further to increase flight frequency based on needs and demands," he said.
Dr Wee said before the end of their meeting, both parties also reaffirmed their support for each other to seek re-election into the ICAO Council.
