In a joint effort with Tourism Malaysia to increase accessibility and boost arrivals into the country, several airlines and tour operators are working together to offer charter flights to Malaysia. Currently, at least 52 charter flights have been confirmed to service Malaysia between June 2008 and March 2009.

Leading Hong Kong travel agency, EGL, together with Hong Kong Express Airlines, are offering 18 charter flights direct from Hong Kong to Langkawi between 14 July and 27 August. Some 3,000 tourists from Hong Kong are expected.

Cathay Pacific has two charter flights flying to Langkawi on 30 July and 3 August.

Working with Club Med and Taiwan's travel agencies, China Airlines is providing 23 charter flights direct from Taipei to Kuantan beginning 16 June until 12 September. The first three flights that arrived in Kuantan brought in 460 Taiwanese tourists.

Another nine charter flights by Finnair are scheduled fortnightly between November 2008 until March 2009, servicing Finland and Penang, bringing in an expected 2,043 tourists.

In addition,  there are a total of 32 extra flights from Saudi Arabia  in July and August with seat capacity of 9,184. They include Saudi Airlines flights from Riyadh (8 flights) and Jeddah (16 flights) to Kuala Lumpur, with another eight flying from Riyadh to Kuala Lumpur via Dammam. Malaysia Airlines is also carrying 2,626 additional seats on its 35 flights from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur with the aircraft upgrade from a B777 to B747 during the same period.

During a two-week period early this year, 45 charter flights from China / Hong Kong / Taiwan / Macau brought in 5,478 tourists for the Chinese New Year holidays.

Korean Air operated four charter flights to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, in April this year with a total of 1,500 passengers.

Seven charter flight services by Transaero Airlines between January and March 2008 brought in 1,610 tourists from Moscow to Kuala Lumpur.

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Issued by: Advertising & Publicity Division, Tourism Malaysia

Date: 8 July 2008

Email: anisramli@tourism.gov.my

Website: www.tourism.gov.my

Tel: 603 2615 8188, Fax: 603 2615 8299

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