KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): Malaysia Airlines Bhd is optimistic on its outlook as the group's chief executive officer Peter Bellew shared there are "enormous opportunities" for the airline in the China market.

“I have never seen a potential in my life like there is from China to Malaysia. The market from China to Malaysia…I think people just don’t grasp the size of the opportunity for tourism in this country. It could easily double within the next six to seven years. 

"I will expect China to move from about 8% to 9% of our business currently to about 20% in the next two to three years,” Bellew told the media on the sidelines of Invest Malaysia 2017 today.

On how the airline is trying to connect with Chinese tourists, Bellew said there are more Chinese-speaking staff on board now for the airline's Chinese routes, along with changes to inflight menus, with the addition of Chinese flavours.

Bellew also shared Malaysia Airlines will continue to focus on international routes and will not be drawn into a price war for the domestic market. 

He also reiterated his expectation for the airline to return to the black by 2018, and for it to be relisted on the local stock exchange by 2019.

As to whether he would continue his role once his contracts expires in 2019, Bellew said Malaysia Airlines has a lot of great Malaysian talents that are capable of taking over from him.