Malaysia Airlines Group CEO: Demand for newly opened routes in China is strong and in line with expectations; total capacity in the Chinese market has increased by more than 40%.

Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group, said in a recent interview with The Paper in Shanghai that the mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Malaysia officially took effect on July 17, 2025. "We hope to further deepen our presence in the Chinese market, and current market performance is also very good." "The Chinese market offers vast opportunities, and Malaysia Airlines' overall performance in China is also encouraging." Izham Ismail told reporters that the recently launched or resumed three routes to Changsha, Shenzhen and Chengdu are in strong demand, basically in line with expectations, with load factors of about 80% to 85%, about 87% for Beijing, and about 81% for Shanghai. "Strong demand does not only come from leisure travel; premium passengers and corporate clients are also maintaining growth. As of August this year, premium passengers increased by more than 24% year on year, and corporate clients increased by more than 40% year on year."