SEPANG - Malaysia Airports' relentless marketing effort and Tourism Malaysia's aggressive promotion continue to bore fruit and ensure the aviation industry ends 2011 on a positive note, as Transaero Airlines, Russia's second largest airline made its maiden landing at KL International Airport (KLIA) today. Transaero is the sole airline from Russia to operate to Kuala Lumpur.

Transaero operates one flight weekly, which flies every Saturday from Moscow and Kuala Lumpur vice versa using Boeing 763 aircraft with 255 seats configuration. The inaugural flight UN551 touched down at KLIA today and was given a warm, Malaysian style welcome reception by Malaysia Airports and Tourism Malaysia.

Transaero has been operating charter flights to KLIA for the last few years. It has created sufficient market demand on this route for the airline to start scheduled operations and Malaysia Airports is very happy with the new development.

Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports said, "Malaysia Airports is very pleased with Transaero's decision to include Kuala Lumpur in their network and establish a direct connection between Malaysia and Russia. Transaero service opens a new market for us and we wish them all the best for their operations to Kuala Lumpur. We look forward for the airlines to stabilize and strengthen their operation to Kuala Lumpur and hopefully, increase their frequency to KLIA soon."

He added, "It is Malaysia Airports close cooperation and relationship with Tourism Malaysia plus Ministry of Transport's pro-business policies that brought this airline from Russia to Malaysia. I anticipate that this strong partnership will continue to reap more success in terms of attracting more airlines to Malaysia."

Transaero's service will provide convenient access between Kuala Lumpur and Moscow and expand two-way trade, investment and tourism for both countries. Transaero is the 57th airline serving Kuala Lumpur. In 2011, apart from Transaero, KLIA has welcomed Air Koryo and Lion Air, while Egypt Air made a comeback to KLIA.

Transaero operates to major Russian cities and is also the leading carrier to Kazakhstan. Its network covers many European destinations such as Austria, Cyprus, England, Germany, Greece, Israel and Spain. Transaero also operates flights to major Asian countries like China, Japan, Thailand and India.

About Malaysia Airports

Malaysia Airports manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia: 5 international, 16 domestic and 18 Short Take-Off and Landing Ports (STOL Ports). It also has operations in India, Turkey and Maldives. On November 30, 1999, Malaysia Airports became the first airport company to be listed in Asia.

KL International Airport (KLIA), its flagship airport was thrice voted as the Best Airport (15-25 million passengers per annum) in the 2005 AETRA awards, 2006 ACI-ASQ awards and 2007 ACI-ASQ awards while the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT-KLIA) was named CAPA Low Cost Airport of the Year at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence 2006. KLIA has also taken a big stride in the realisation of becoming a global integrated hub by launching the Next Generation Hub concept, an initiative aiming to position the ultra-modern airport as a complete hub for all.

Malaysia Airports has also received numerous awards that acknowledged its commitment in service, community engagement, corporate responsibility and organisational excellence.

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