Starting January 27, Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines will expand their codeshare cooperation, which will see both airlines getting access to new destinations.
The airlines’ current codeshare cooperation already allows Malaysia Airlines’ passengers to book travel to 10 US-based destinations served by Qatar Airways, such as Boston, New York and Dallas. The expanded codeshare agreement will allow passengers travelling with the Malaysian flag carrier to travel to 20 more destinations in Europe, America and Africa.
In turn, Qatar Airways’ customers will have access to four new destinations in Southeast Asia, including Sibu and Alor Setar in Malaysia, as well as Medan and Surabaya in Indonesia. This will bring the total number of the airline’s codeshare routes in Malaysia Airlines’ network to 24.
Sales for select new codeshare destinations have already started.
Malaysia Airlines’ customers can now book travel on Qatar Airways’ flights from Doha to 12 destinations including Vienna, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Munich, Athens, Rome, Oslo, Barcelona, Madrid, Geneva and Zurich.
A spokesperson from Malaysia Airlines told Business Traveller Asia-Pacific that the other eight destinations are Sao Paulo, Montreal, Paris, Lisbon, Moscow, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Stockholm, which are subject to regulatory approvals at this stage.
Meanwhile, passengers flying with Qatar Airways can book Malaysia Airlines’ flights from Kuala Lumpur to the aforementioned four destinations in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Qatar Airways began flying to Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur in 2001. The airline offers a triple daily service between Doha and Kuala Lumpur.
In February 2018, the airline launched thrice-weekly non-stop flights to Penang. Last October, Qatar Airways further boosted its Penang service to five weekly flights, and launched a new service to Langkawi via Penang.
In 2001, Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines announced their first codeshare agreement, which was later expanded in 2018.
“Since 2001, both airlines have witnessed the significant benefits codeshare cooperation have brought, providing passengers with unrivalled service and seamless connections,” said Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group chief executive.
“The expansion of codeshare cooperation between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines is a natural next step in the strengthening of our partnership.”
Also commenting on the expansion of both airlines’ codeshare partnership, Izham Ismail, Malaysia Airlines Group chief executive, said:
“Malaysia Airlines is delighted to further develop and grow our relationship with Qatar Airways with this codeshare agreement,
“Through this cooperation, we 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.”
Malaysia Airlines has also recently announced the expansion of its existing codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines. The Malaysian flag carrier also codeshares with Singapore Airlines and British Airways.
Qatar Airways and China Southern’s new codeshare partnership has also begun.
