{
  "id": 5516289,
  "title": "Malaysia Airlines returns to Busan after 28 years, Firefly enters China",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/malaysia-airlines-returns-to-busan-after-28-years-firefly-enters-china",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-04T07:39:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/09/1525665/malaysia-airlines-returns-busan-after-28-years-firefly-enters"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia Airlines will restart flights to Busan on December 2 after a 28-year hiatus, while its affiliate Firefly will venture into China with non-stop services to Kunming, according to Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar, president and CEO of Malaysia Aviation Group. The new routes align with the group's strategy to target markets with sustainable demand and enhance tourism, trade, and connectivity. Malaysia Airlines will operate four weekly Kuala Lumpur-Busan flights utilizing Boeing B737-8 aircraft, becoming the sole carrier providing non-stop flights between the two cities. The service will commence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with introductory fares starting at RM2,139 for Economy and RM4,999 for Business Class. Firefly will introduce direct flights to Kunming in southwest China using B737-800 aircraft, marking the airline's inaugural route into the country, thus expanding Malaysia Airlines' network in China to nine key hubs. The company has not disclosed the launch date or ticket sales for the Kunming service. Additionally, Malaysia Airlines is augmenting its Kuala Lumpur-Fukuoka services from five to daily flights starting December 1, and increasing Brisbane services from six to daily from October 25 using Airbus A330neo aircraft. Flights to Surabaya will expand from 14 to 16 times weekly from November 1. The airline is also exploring a new destination in South Asia, pending regulatory approval, with further details to follow. Malaysia Airlines is concurrently constructing an in-flight catering facility near Kuala Lumpur International Airport, with an expected completion in the fourth quarter of 2028 and operations beginning in the second quarter of 2029. The facility aims to produce around 50,000 meals daily, nearly doubling the current capacity, and will serve Malaysia Airlines and third-party carriers. The catering unit, established as a subsidiary in September 2025, has achieved a 78% customer satisfaction rate and consistently maintains a 99.9% on-time performance.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd will resume flights to Busan on Dec 2 after a 28-year absence, while sister airline FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd (Firefly) will make its first foray into China with direct services to Kunming.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "99% of Malaysia Airlines cabin crew screened, test negative for drugs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/99-of-malaysia-airlines-cabin-crew-screened-test-negative-for-drugs",
        "published": "2026-09-04T04:59:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Malaysia Airlines resumes Busan flights starting December",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/malaysia-airlines-resumes-busan-flights-starting-december",
        "published": "2026-09-04T05:03:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Almost 99pc Malaysia Airlines cabin crew drug tested, all negative",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/almost-99pc-malaysia-airlines-cabin-crew-drug-tested-all-negative",
        "published": "2026-09-04T07:11:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}