Since January 2026, Bryan Foong has been leading the air business of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). In a context marked by geopolitical tensions, rising airfares and changing booking behavior, the company aims to strengthen the competitiveness of its hub in Kuala Lumpur and continue its modernization, with the ambition of being among the top ten global airlines by 2030.
For the winter season 2026-2027, Malaysia Airlines is strengthening its connections to Asia and Australia in particular. The company plans to resume flights to Busan, South Korea, on December 2, with four weekly frequencies. It will also increase its services to Brisbane, which will become a daily flight starting October 25, to Surabaya, with 16 flights per week starting November 1, and to Fukuoka, Japan, which will be served daily starting December 1.
How is demand evolving this year and how is Malaysia Airlines responding to it? Are you seeing a slowdown in long-haul travel linked to the rise in air fares and geopolitical instability?
Bryan Foong- Despite an international environment marked by geopolitical tensions affecting global air transport, demand remains strong in 2026, particularly on routes between Europe, Southeast Asia and Oceania. Travel remains a priority for many customers, particularly in the business, premium and VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) segments.
Malaysia Airlines It has carried more than 12 million passengers to date, an increase of approximately 10 % over a year. In France, bookings for trips until the end of the year are also up by 33 % over a year.
However, we are observing greater caution in purchasing behavior. Customers tend to book closer to their departure date and are paying more attention to the value for money ratio. However, we are not seeing any significant slowdown in long-haul demand. Travelers continue to prioritize airlines that offer, when possible, direct flights with strong connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region.
For Malaysia Airlines, staying agile is indeed our priority, in order to continuously adapt our network and capabilities to demand, strengthen our most profitable markets, and make the best use of Kuala Lumpur’s strategic position as a hub.
What about the business travel segment?
Bryan Foong- Business travel remains an important segment for us. On our route from Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG), the number of passengers belonging to the corporate clientele has increased by 327 % over a year, reflecting strong demand from business travelers.
We continue to improve our products and services to meet the evolving needs of this clientele, prioritizing greater flexibility, convenience, and added value. For businesses, the MHcorporate program offers tailored benefits, including preferential rates, Enrich rewards, and dedicated account follow-up. It thus helps companies manage their travel more effectively across different markets and for various travel needs.
What is Malaysia Airlines’ strategy to strengthen its resilience in the current context?
Bryan Foong- Our resilience rests on the diversity of our clientele and the strength of our hub in Kuala Lumpur. Its strategic location allows us to connect Europe with Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the main Asian markets. This means we have a diversified portfolio of passengers on point and in connection.
At the same time, we are strengthening the fundamentals of the company through the modernization of our fleet, the improvement of our operational performance, and the enhancement of our customer offering.
The results of this policy are visible: our punctuality has consistently remained above 90 % since March 2026; we have welcomed 29 new aircraft, including Airbus A330neo and Boeing 737-8; and we have improved our position in international rankings during the latest Skytrax World Airline Awards. We were particularly named the best airline for its staff in Asia, ranked third in the cabin crew category and placed 21st in the ranking of the world's best airlines.
These milestones reflect the progress made towards becoming one of the top ten airlines in the world by 2030.
But resilience also requires discipline: staying focused on the fundamentals, making targeted investments, and ensuring that growth is sustainable. Our goal is to build a stronger and more competitive company, capable of navigating the various cycles of the market.
Has Visit Malaysia Year 2026 had an impact on passenger traffic? Are you seeing a growth in point-to-point traffic between Europe and Malaysia?
Bryan Foong- The Visit Malaysia Year 2026 tourism campaign aims to welcome 47 million international visitors and strengthen the country’s visibility in key foreign markets. It helps to better promote Malaysia as a leisure and business destination, especially in Europe and France, where interest in the country continues to grow.
Beyond leisure tourism, we are also witnessing a positive dynamic in the business travel segment. Malaysia is consolidating its position as a leading destination for MICE — meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions — as well as a regional platform for international companies operating in Southeast Asia.
We are observing growth in point-to-point traffic between Europe and Malaysia, supported by the resumption of direct flights between Paris and Kuala Lumpur. The availability of a non-stop connection has significantly strengthened the attractiveness and accessibility of Malaysia. Moreover, demand between France and Malaysia is showing strong growth in both directions. The traffic from Kuala Lumpur to France has increased by 30 percent % over the past year, with Phuket, Denpasar, Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations in the region as the main source markets. In the direction from France to Kuala Lumpur, demand has increased by 27 percent % over the past year.
Kuala Lumpur continues to play an essential role as a regional gateway, notably with connections to Bali, Phuket and other important markets in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
How is the Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle – Kuala Lumpur connection?
Bryan Foong – The Paris-Kuala Lumpur route is showing encouraging results. Since the beginning of the year, we have transported more than 123,000 passengers on this route, with an average fill factor of about 80 %. These figures reflect healthy demand, both for point-to-point travel and for connections.
The resumption of daily non-stop service between France and Malaysia in March 2025 has significantly facilitated tourism, trade, and economic relations between the two countries.
Beyond the local demand, the Paris-Kuala Lumpur route also plays a strategic role for French business travelers who travel throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Our route also benefits from connecting traffic to destinations such as Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and New Zealand.
As companies strengthen their presence in Asia and seek efficient travel solutions, we remain confident in the long-term growth potential of the Paris-Kuala Lumpur route. This is based on the growth of tourism, the deepening of economic relations, and the sustainable recovery of international business travel.
