Malaysia Airlines expands travel to European markets with Qatar Airways

Malaysia Airlines (MAB) has expanded its codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways to offer more connectivity between Kuala Lumpur to several major cities in Europe. All codeshare services will be marketed as Malaysia Airlines flights, thus simplifying ticketing to one document issued by the national carrier.

Effective 27 January, consumers can book seats to additional 12 destinations with one-stop connectivity such as Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Geneva, Copenhagen, Brussels, Athens, and Oslo. Through its existing codeshare agreement with Qatar, MAB passengers have been able to fly to cities such as Doha, Boston, New York and Dallas. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways passengers can book flights to two additional destinations in Malaysia - Sibu and Alor Setar, as well as two destinations in Indonesia - Medan and Surabaya.

MAB group CEO captain Izham Ismail said through this cooperation, it will be able to provide travel options for our outbound travelers as well as inviting more travelers to experience the beauty Malaysia has to offer. "We look forward to sharing our Malaysian Hospitality further and provide a truly Malaysian experience for our passengers," he added.

Qatar Airway's group CEO Akbar Al Baker added: “Since 2001, both airlines have witnessed the significant benefits codeshare cooperation have brought, providing passengers with unrivalled service and seamless connections. The expansion of codeshare cooperation between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines is a natural next step in the strengthening of our close partnership.”

Last year, it also signed a code-sharing partnership with Turkish Airlines to tap into new markets and offer passengers more travel options. The agreement also offers more comfortable travel opportunities to passengers, who have already been transported under the existing commercial cooperation between the two airlines since 2017.

Last June, Singapore Airlines and MAB also partnered to step up co-operative ties and build on the existing codeshare agreement that covers flights between Singapore and Malaysia. The collaboration also sees SIA subsidiaries SilkAir and Scoot, as well as Firefly, the sister airline of MAB involved in the enhancement.