Malaysia Airlines drops Brisbane-Kuala Lumpur flights "again"

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTG (MSN 1318)

Queenslanders planning a trip from Brisbane to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines will soon need to adjust their travel plans, with the Oneworld member revealing its non-stop route will be permanently dropped from its schedule from the 27th of March next year.

Increased global economic challenges and a desire to remain on a growth trajectory were cited as reasons for the route cancellation, with Malaysia Airlines CEO Izham Ismail describing the move as “a difficult decision” following a thorough business review.

Ismail explains the airline chose to discontinue the route in order to “utilise our fleet at an optimum level, as well as maximising revenue on every route we fly to, while we face strong headwinds from the continued increase in fuel costs, foreign exchange, and interest rates.”

Non-stop flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide will continue as normal, providing up to 43 direct flights a week to and from Australia.

Malaysia Airlines’ codeshare agreement with Oneworld partner Qantas will still allow frequent flyers and travellers to connect with Kuala Lumpur, via Sydney or Melbourne.

Brisbane to Kuala Lumpur was previously axed by Malaysia Airlines in 2016 as part of a broader suite of cost-cutting measures, before restarting it in June 2019.

Earlier this year, Malaysia Airlines revealed plans to upgrade all Australian flights to the latest A330neo, replacing its ageing A330 fleet with the more advanced and comfortable jet. 

The new aircraft are expected to roll out between late 2023 and 2028.