India is a core market for Malaysia Airlines, says group MD Captain Izham Ismail

Mumbai: From left, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene, President and Chief of Staff at Reliance Industries Ltd B. Srinivasan, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, MAG Chief Commercial Officer Dersenish Aresandiran, and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh during an event to announce the partnership between Mumbai Indians and Malaysia Airlines, in Mumbai on Wednesday.
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India is a core growth market for Malaysia Airlines and the carrier is deepening its presence in the country with a new partnership with Indian Premium League team Mumbai Indians.

“Our confidence in the Indian market is underpinned by strong performance. In 2025, India recorded a robust 12 per cent year-on-year growth in overall passenger numbers, with the premium passenger load factor increasing by 4 per cent year-on-year. Revenue from the region also rose year-on-year, reflecting sustained demand and the strength of our strategic network positioning. India remains one of our core growth markets,” said Captain Izham Ismail, group managing director of Malaysia Aviation Group (which runs the airline), after the signing ceremony here on Wednesday.

Malaysia Airlines is the official commercial airline partner of English premier league footfall team Manchester United. It also sponsors football associations in Malaysia. 

Ismail said the Mumbai Indians team has a strong global influence and the partnership would help the carrier drive engagement within the Indian market. The airline will serve as an associate sponsor and global airline partner for the team.

With this tie-up, the carrier also hopes to promote Malaysia as a destination among Indian travellers. The carrier operates 80 weekly flights to 10 Indian cities.

Last year, Malaysia overtook Thailand as the most visited destination in South-East Asia, welcoming over 38 million tourists. Indian footfalls have also been strong, with over 1.3 million arrivals in the first 10 months of 2025.

As part of its commitment to driving in-bound travel, Malaysia Airlines will continue to promote its bonus side trip programme, allowing eligible international travellers transiting through Kuala Lumpur to explore an additional Malaysian destination with no additional fare (excluding taxes).

Published on January 14, 2026