Malaysia Airlines: Connecting the World with Warmth and Innovation

In Conversation with Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)

You've been associated with Malaysia Airlines for a long period of time. Please share your journey with us? Also your experience with the aviation industry?

My journey with Malaysia Airlines has been both rewarding and transformative. It has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to an iconic brand that represents not just connectivity, but a deep cultural legacy. Over the years, I’ve been privileged to drive growth strategies across key global markets, with India consistently playing a pivotal role in our network expansion.

The aviation industry itself is dynamic and complex marked by constant evolution, technological innovation, and shifting customer expectations. My experience has spanned route development, strategic partnerships, fleet modernization, and customer experience enhancement. What continues to inspire me is the challenge of delivering operational excellence while ensuring that every journey reflects our hallmark of Malaysian Hospitality. This balance between efficiency and empathy is what sets our airline apart, and I am proud to be part of a team that champions both.

Malaysia Airlines is significantly expanding its operations from Trivandrum, underlining Kerala’s growing importance as a gateway to South India. What inspired this expansion, and how do you see these enhanced frequencies impacting the airline’s footprint in the southern region?

Kerala is a cornerstone of our South India strategy, given its strong tourism appeal, thriving business links, and deep cultural ties with Southeast Asia. Since launching our Thiruvananthapuram–Kuala Lumpur service in November 2023, demand has grown steadily, allowing us to increase from four weekly flights to daily services.

This expansion strengthens connectivity for leisure, business, VFR, and spiritual travel while boosting trade and tourism flows not just between South India and Malaysia, but onward to Australia and New Zealand via Kuala Lumpur. Our collaboration with Kerala Tourism under the ‘Look East’ initiative further reinforces our long-term commitment, with Trivandrum firmly established as a key southern gateway.

Can you elaborate on the exclusive offers and experiences Malaysia Airlines has introduced for Manchester United fans? How do you see this partnership benefiting the airline?

Our partnership with Manchester United has enabled us to bring fans closer to their passion in meaningful ways. From exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with legendary players to co-branded merchandise and activations at travel fairs such as MATTA, we are extending the fan experience beyond the pitch and into the travel journey.

The Manchester United-themed A330neo livery serves as a striking symbol—blending our Malaysian identity with the global appeal of one of the world’s most iconic clubs. This partnership strengthens emotional connections, enhances brand recall, and positions Malaysia Airlines not just as an airline, but as part of a lifestyle—where sport and travel come together to create memorable experiences.

Malaysia Airlines also have complimentary programme “Bonus Side Trip” for travellers, allowing them to explore additional destinations within Malaysia at no extra cost. Could you elaborate on this initiative and how it enhances the overall travel experience for passengers?

The Bonus Side Trip programme is one of our most distinctive offerings. It allows international passengers flying into Kuala Lumpur to enjoy a complimentary domestic return trip to destinations such as Penang, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, or Alor Setar (taxes only).

This initiative encourages travellers to explore Malaysia beyond the capital—be it the pristine beaches of Langkawi, the culinary and cultural richness of Penang, or the vibrancy of Johor Bahru. It reflects Malaysian Hospitality by offering more choice, creating memorable multi-destination experiences, and supporting the growth of domestic tourism.

With the upcoming increase in frequencies to Brisbane, how do you see Malaysia Airlines strengthening its presence in Australia, and what role will Indian travellers play in this enhanced connectivity via Kuala Lumpur? How do you envision this new route will strengthen ties between India and Malaysia, and what benefits can travellers expect from this enhanced connectivity?

The revival of our Kuala Lumpur–Brisbane service on 29 November 2025, with five weekly flights, represents a significant step in strengthening our presence in Australia. Alongside increased frequencies to Sydney and Melbourne, this expansion provides greater choice and convenience across the Asia-Pacific.

For Indian travellers, this enhanced connectivity is especially impactful. Through Kuala Lumpur, they can seamlessly access Australia for business, leisure, education, and VFR travel. India has now become our

largest market globally in both revenue and passenger traffic, surpassing Australia and Europe. Strengthened connectivity supports not just travel, but also deeper economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between India, Malaysia, and Australia.

You mentioned a collaboration with one of India's most credible banks to offer exclusive discounts to cardholders. Can you share some details about this partnership and what customers can expect from it?

We are proud to partner with ICICI Bank, one of India’s most trusted financial institutions, to deliver even greater value to our customers. ICICI Bank cardholders enjoy exclusive savings of up to 15% when booking directly through our website or mobile app with promo code MHICICI24 (valid until 15 May 2025 for travel up to 30 September 2025).

In addition, Manchester United ICICI cardholders enjoy a dedicated discount on Economy Class fares with promo code ICICIMU24, valid until 20 November 2025. This collaboration combines the strengths of digital banking with premium air travel, enhancing accessibility, convenience, and affordability—making Malaysian Hospitality even more rewarding.

How will the codeshare agreement with IndiGo enhance Malaysia Airlines' network in India, and what benefits can customers expect from this partnership?

Our codeshare agreement with IndiGo represents a pivotal step in expanding our footprint in India. It enables seamless connections from Kuala Lumpur to six additional Indian cities, including Varanasi, Patna, Tiruchirappalli, Goa, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam.

For passengers, this translates into the convenience of through-ticketing, coordinated schedules, and smoother connections. It also extends our reach into Tier-II and Tier-III cities, giving more travellers access to our global network via Kuala Lumpur—connecting effortlessly into Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.

With the launch of the new direct flight to Paris, how do you see Malaysia Airlines' European footprint evolving in the future?

Our return to Paris marks a milestone in our European strategy and reflects our long-term commitment to this market. Beginning with four weekly flights in March 2025, we increased to daily operations within weeks due to strong demand, achieving inaugural load factors of 95% outbound and 98% inbound.

This direct service not only strengthens our long-haul connectivity but also positions Malaysia Airlines as a bridge between Asia and Europe. Paris is more than a destination; it is a gateway that unlocks opportunities for future expansion across the continent, while delivering premium service rooted in Malaysian Hospitality.

How does Malaysia Airlines plan to leverage technology to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency, and what new aircraft can we expect to see in the airline's fleet?

Technology and fleet renewal are central to our transformation journey. We are progressively introducing next-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A330neo, Boeing 737-8, and soon, the Boeing 737-10—our first narrowbody to feature lie-flat Business Class seats. These aircraft elevate the onboard experience while delivering up to 14% improved fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.

Passengers will experience tangible enhancements, including 4K seatback screens, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, unlimited Wi-Fi, and a dedicated Kids Mode. Coupled with digital innovations like self-check-in, meal pre-ordering, and touchless services, every step of the journey is designed to be more seamless and personalised.

What are some key priorities for Malaysia Airlines in the Indian market, and how do you see the airline's presence evolving in the next few years?

India remains one of our most important markets with tremendous long-term growth potential. Our priorities are to expand services to emerging destinations such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Trivandrum; increase frequencies on high-demand routes; and strengthen collaborations with tourism boards and operators.

With a fast-growing economy, rising disposable incomes, and accelerating urbanisation, India’s aviation sector has extraordinary potential. We are confident of surpassing 1.3 million passengers from India in FY25 and remain committed to investing in this market through enhanced connectivity, targeted marketing, premium offerings, and loyalty programmes like Enrich.

What sets Malaysia Airlines apart from other airlines in terms of its customer experience and service offerings?

What sets Malaysia Airlines apart is our unique blend of modern innovation with the timeless warmth of Malaysian Hospitality. From our iconic satay skewers freshly grilled onboard to personalised Chef-on-Call services in Business Class, every detail is designed to make journeys feel distinctive and personal.

As part of our commitment to enhance the dining experience for all travellers, we are excited to introduce a new vegetarian satay option, made from tender Lion’s Mane mushroom marinated in our signature spice blend. Infused with the same flavours that have made our satay a hallmark since 1973, this plant-based alternative offers a wholesome choice without compromising on taste.

The vegetarian satay will first be introduced on our India routes beginning 1 September 2025, before being rolled out to other markets. Served with cucumber, raw onion, and our signature peanut sauce, it complements the traditional chicken, beef, and lamb satay enjoyed by thousands of passengers onboard every day.

This hospitality is complemented by our cabin crew, who were recently ranked 8th for World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew 2025 at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, a testament to their warmth, professionalism, and dedication. Coupled with our award-winning cabin comfort, every detail of the journey is designed to feel effortless. For us, it’s not just about transporting passengers, but creating travel experiences that reflect care, authenticity, and excellence—values that define Malaysia Airlines worldwide.

What message would you like to convey to travelers in India, and how can they benefit from choosing Malaysia Airlines for their travel needs?

To our valued Indian travellers, Malaysia Airlines is your trusted gateway to the world. Whether travelling for business, leisure, or education, we provide extensive connectivity, premium services, and added-value programmes such as Bonus Side Trip and Enrich loyalty rewards.

Our pioneering spirit has long defined us—from our Group Managing Director, Captain Izham’s world aviation record in piloting Malaysia Airlines’ first Boeing 777-200 to our ongoing drive for innovation and excellence. Today, that same passion ensures every journey with us is not just convenient, but truly memorable.