Malaysia Airlines will add extra flights and deploy more of its newest aircraft on the Melbourne- Kuala Lumpur route to give travellers more flexibility for flights to Malaysia, Southeast Asia, India and Europe.
The Malaysian flag carrier will progressively introduce a third daily flight to Melbourne from August, and by the end of the year plans to operate all 21 weekly flights from Melbourne with brand new Airbus A330neo aircraft.
The new flights will add an extra 216,000 seats a year between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur, providing Victorian travellers and exporters with extra choice and putting Malaysia Airlines into the top five foreign carriers serving Victoria.
Year on year international passenger numbers through Melbourne Airport grew two per cent in March, with the airport welcoming a total of 937,696 overseas travellers.
The impact of Cyclone Alfred and temporary suspension of services to Brisbane and the Gold Coast was reflected in March domestic passenger numbers, which were down four per cent on the previous year.
Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Lorie Argus said the increase in Malaysia Airlines services would be welcomed by travellers and exporters.
“Malaysia Airlines has been serving Victoria for decades, and this capacity increase underscores the airline’s ongoing commitment to our city and state,” she said.
“It speaks to the importance of the Victorian market that Malaysia Airlines plans to use its newest aircraft, featuring the latest onboard product for its enhanced Melbourne services.
“We know that Victorian travellers and exporters will welcome the increased choice and flexibility these new services deliver, and we’ll work with Visit Victoria to ensure Malaysian tourists make the most of them too.
“To keep pace with demand, we’re working with our airlines to deliver an expansion of the international terminal, and a third runway to ensure our airfield has the capacity to serve Victoria’s growing population.”
Passenger figures for March 2025:
| Passengers | March 2025 | March 2024 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 937,696 | 923,065 | +2% |
| Domestic | 2,007,949 | 2,093,882 | -4% |
| Total (excl. transits) | 2,945,645 | 3,016,947 | -2% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 937,696 |
| Domestic | 2,007,949 |
| Total (excl. transits) | 2,945,645 |
*Monthly percentage growth compared to March 2024
Passenger figures for Financial Year to March
| Passengers | Financial Year 2024/25 | Financial Year 2023/24 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 9,087,998 | 8,399,738 | +8% |
| Domestic | 18,319,133 | 18,330,449 | -0.1% |
| Total (excl. transits) | 27,406,858 | 26,730,187 | +3% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 9,087,998 |
| Domestic | 18,319,133 |
| Total (excl. transits) | 27,406,858 |
*Percentage growth compared to FY 2023/24