Malaysia Airlines suspending flights to Los Angeles, focus on Asia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will halt its flights into Los Angeles with effect from April 30 as it undertakes a route rationalisation exercise to stem losses and instead focus on Asia.

MAS group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said on Monday the Los Angeles route “is no longer economically viable”.

“The factors contributing to this negative situation today include over capacity and competition resulting in lower yields, high cost of operating the B777 aircraft, and pressure from continued increases in fuel costs. These are adding further pressure to the expenses of Malaysia Airlines group, which we are continuously evaluating," he said.

MAS said it would focus on Asia where the demand outlook is strong, fuelled by a growing middle class and increased global and intra-regional trade.

This would see MAS increase frequencies to key regional cities to benefit from the strong growth in regional demand.

On the suspension of flights to Los Angeles, it said the route rationalisation would have minimal impact on Malaysia's position as a top tourist destination in Asia as it would work aggressively with its code share and oneworld partners.

Currently, MAS offers seamless one-stop air connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and several major cities in the US through a code-share arrangement with American Airlines and Japan Airlines, its partner airlines in the oneworld alliance. 

Among the connections are between Kuala Lumpur and the US cities of Atlanta, Boston, Washington, Houston, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, Honolulu and Raleigh via Europe and Japan.