KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is engaging with airlines to explore increasing direct flights between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, says minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic).
He said there had been a significant decline in corporate travel groups between the two countries, primarily due to limited flight options.
“Presently, with only Saudia (Airlines) operating flights to Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines’ capacity largely allocated for haj and umrah pilgrims, there has been a significant decline in corporate travel groups.
“I will be engaging with Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Batik Air to explore the possibility to increase direct flight options for the leisure market,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
Tiong said he held a meeting with Al Ahram Travel and Tourism Company’s founder and chief executive officer Adnan Omar Al-Abbas during his visit to Saudi Arabia recently.
He said Adnan expressed hope for deeper business collaboration with Malaysia, including establishing direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Kuala Lumpur and possibly onward connections to Singapore or Australia.
He said his ministry will continue to encourage local hospitality players to collaborate with Saudi agents to promote medical tourism.
Tiong also said an agreement was reached with Panda Supermarket, one of the largest retail chains in the Middle East, to promote Malaysia in Saudi Arabia.
