Malaysia Airlines and China Southern Airlines have signed an expansion of their codeshare partnership to cover five more routes in the Malaysia-China market.

The expanded codeshare cooperation, taking effect from 25 October, will connect Kuala Lumpur with a number of China’s key economic, cultural and commercial centres including Shenzhen, Changsha, Xiamen, Chengdu and Zhengzhou.

“Malaysia Airlines is pleased to further strengthen its partnership with China Southern Airlines and offer customers more ways to travel between Malaysia and China,” said Malaysia Aviation Group President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar.

“China remains a key strategic market for Malaysia Airlines, and our continued expansion in the country reflects the importance we place on strengthening our connections with the region.

“This cooperation complements our network, giving customers greater access to key destinations across China while strengthening the links between our respective networks.

“We look forward to building on the strong foundation of our partnership and exploring further opportunities to deepen our cooperation, while supporting the continued growth of tourism, trade and business ties between Malaysia and China.”

Since launching their codeshare cooperation on the Kuala Lumpur-Guangzhou route in July 2023, the two airlines have continued to build on their partnership. In July 2024, the cooperation was further extended to cover the Kuala Lumpur-Beijing Daxing, Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai Pudong and Penang-Guangzhou routes.

“China Southern Airlines highly values the enormous growth potential of the Malaysian market,” said China Southern Air Holding Company Limited President, Han Wensheng.

“By working closely with Malaysia Airlines, we will further leverage our respective strengths, increase flight frequencies between China and Malaysia, and fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by the mutual visa-free policies.

“This will offer passengers more diversified and convenient travel options, while injecting new momentum into air connectivity between our two countries and supporting the Belt and Road Initiative.

“We are committed to deepening our partnership to deliver greater value to customers and facilitate closer tourism, trade and economic cooperation between China and Malaysia.”

With this round of expansion, all routes linking Kuala Lumpur with Guangzhou, Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen, Changsha, Xiamen, Chengdu Tianfu and Zhengzhou are now under the scope of codeshare cooperation, covering all Kuala Lumpur-related routes operated by both airlines.