KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd will resume direct flights to Paris, France from next year, its parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced Friday (Sept 6).
MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said this was an eagerly-anticipated destination.
“The European market is highly competitive.
"Yet we see immense potential for this particular destination to capture key segments,” he said during the announcement at the MATTA Fair 2024 at Mitec Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia Airlines’ only existing European destination is London, following a restructuring exercise in 2016.
Tickets will be available for sale from Sept 6 with an introductory all-in return fare of RM3,699.
The service will start from March 22, 2025 (four times a week), operating directly from KL international Airport Terminal 1, using the A350-900 aircraft.
It will then move to daily flights starting March 29, 2025.
“This route will be served by our state-of-the-art A350-900 aircraft, which already operates on key routes like London and Doha, delivering a world-class travel experience to our passengers,” added Izham.
The relaunch of the KL - Paris route comes at a time when the airline has been beleaguered by problems ranging from lack of skilled workers for aircraft maintenance to a shortage of parts.
Most recently, Malaysia Airlines’ validity of its air operator certificate (AOC) was shortened to just a year.
The AOC is vital for airlines as one cannot engage in commercial air transport without the certificate.
Izham said that the introduction of the relaunch did not mean it was pushing aside the current issues.
“As we work on resolving both our operations and passenger booking, we need to uphold our commitment to the country’s travel and tourism.
“The biannual MATTA Fair, the country’s largest travel fair, happens to take place this week.
“As the official airline partner and premier sponsor of MATTA Fair for the past many years, we have a commitment to fulfil to our partners under the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents.
“We are showing up here today, battered but still all geared up, to showcase cutting-edge innovations for all, while celebrating unity here in Malaysia through our various offerings,” he said.
MAG has been appointed as the official airline partner and premier sponsor for this year’s MATTA Fair 2024.
The fair is taking place from Sept 6 to 8 at MITEC.
