KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 21): Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd (Malindo Air) is teaming up with Japan's largest carrier, All Nippon Airways Co Ltd (ANA), which will connect its passengers with over 200 routes served by ANA.
Malindo Air said ANA is the fifth addition to its inter-airline partners after Turkish Airline, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Oman Air.
"The new bilateral interline agreement allows seamless travel with the convenience of a single reservation across both airlines' network," Malindo Air said in a statement.
The partnership, the carrier added, will allow ANA passengers to tap into Malindo Air's growing regional network out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Currently, Malindo Air serves over 46 cities across 16 countries, including 13 airports in Malaysia.
Malindo Air CEO Chandran Rama Muthy said the latest pact is crucial for the carrier, which has evolved from a hybrid to a premium airline, to expand its route network and bring its passengers beyond KLIA with other airline partners.
"We are delighted to partner with ANA, one of the world's leading airlines for its excellence in hospitality. With ANA, our passengers will be connected to more than 200 global and domestic destinations through ANA's hubs in Narita [and] Haneda," Chandran said.
Through the carrier's inter-airline pact with five carriers, he added that Malindo Air — which is partly controlled by Indonesia's billionaire Rusdi Kirana — will connect travellers from a larger network to visit Malaysia and enjoy the local hospitality via the diversified and warm culture, as well as its eco-tourism.
"At the same time, this will also increase the number of transit passengers at KLIA. Our extensive route network provides better options for passengers who travel for both the business and leisure segments," said Chandran.
Malindo Air, which commenced operations in March 2013, owns a set of fleet which has grown to 16 ATR72-600 and 29 Boeing 737NG as at July 31. It operates over 800 flights weekly, serving about 45 routes in the region.