Tourism Malaysia is excited to announce the reinstatement of Air India’s direct flights between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur, starting from September 15, 2024. After a 16-year hiatus, this direct daily service marks a significant milestone in enhancing air connectivity between India and Malaysia, offering travelers more convenience and flexibility.
Along with the existing services operated by Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, and Batik Air, Air India’s return adds another option for travelers, particularly those from northern and eastern India, to explore Malaysia’s diverse attractions. This development is expected to further strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Malaysia, especially following the recent visit by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to India, which focused on multi-sectoral cooperation.
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to welcome Air India back to Kuala Lumpur. This new route offers greater choice for travelers and enhances connectivity. Now, passengers can travel to Malaysia from 17 Indian cities, providing seamless travel options. With these additional flights, we also anticipate an increase in European and North American tourists who can now travel to Malaysia via one-stop connections through New Delhi.”
Flight Schedule Between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur
Effective from 15th September 2024, Air India will operate daily flights:
| Flight | Sector | Departure | Arrival | Days of Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI384 | DEL – KUL | 1300 Hrs | 2100 Hrs | Daily |
| AI385 | KUL – DEL | 0830 Hrs | 1125 Hrs | Daily |
Boosting Tourism and Economic Ties
Tourism Malaysia is targeting to welcome 1 million Indian tourists by the end of 2024. As of July 2024, the country has already seen an 84.5% increase in Indian tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023, with a total of 625,000 travelers. Malaysia currently receives 219 weekly direct flights from various cities in India, with a combined seating capacity of up to 42,000 passengers.
With the relaunch of Air India’s flights, Malaysia’s tourism sector is expected to witness further growth, aligning with its goal to attract 35.6 million international tourists and generate RM147.1 billion in tourism revenue by Visit Malaysia 2026. These flights are expected to attract a surge of European and North American travelers using New Delhi as a transit hub to Malaysia.
A Warm Welcome
Air India’s return to Kuala Lumpur was marked with a symbolic water cannon salute, signifying the beginning of this new chapter in air travel between the two nations. This direct connection is expected to play a crucial role in driving tourism and fostering closer relations, not only between Malaysia and India but also with the broader global tourism community.
Visit Malaysia 2026: A Sustainability Focus
Looking ahead, Visit Malaysia 2026 will focus on the sustainability of Malaysia’s tourism industry, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). Tourism Malaysia is committed to promoting eco-friendly travel experiences, and these new flights will provide more opportunities for tourists to discover the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the country.
Additionally, Tourism Malaysia is also part of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) initiative, promoting the region as a unified destination for international tourists. The IMT-GT Visiting Year 2023-2025 aims to showcase the growth and potential of these three nations as a collective tourism hub.
For more information on Air India’s direct flights and to plan your Malaysian adventure, visit www.airindia.com or contact your preferred travel agent.
About Tourism Malaysia
The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, operates under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia and is responsible for promoting Malaysia as a top-tier tourism destination. Since its inception, Tourism Malaysia has emerged as a leader in international tourism, contributing significantly to the country’s economic development.
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