KUALA LUMPUR – Batik Air is strengthening its international footprint with the launch of two new direct routes to Shanghai, China and Sydney, Australia, as part of efforts to enhance regional connectivity ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
The Kuala Lumpur–Shanghai service is scheduled to commence on June 23, 2026, operated by Boeing 737 aircraft. The addition further expands Batik Air’s presence in China, complementing its existing routes to cities including Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen and Zhengzhou.
In a statement, the airline said the new Shanghai route will reinforce links between Kuala Lumpur and one of Asia-Pacific’s key economic and tourism hubs. One-way fares start from RM399 for Economy Class and RM1,679 for Business Class.
Meanwhile, Batik Air will introduce a direct Kuala Lumpur–Sydney service beginning July 1, 2026, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft with a frequency of seven flights weekly.
The non-stop Sydney route strengthens the airline’s Australian network, which currently includes Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, as well as services to Sydney via Denpasar and 14 weekly direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Perth.
One-way fares to Sydney are priced from RM749 for Economy Class and RM4,069 for Business Class.
Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the introduction of both routes reflects the airline’s continued focus on building a resilient, demand-driven network.
“The addition of Shanghai and Sydney strengthens two of our key international corridors, supporting both tourism and business travel while enhancing Malaysia’s connectivity with major global markets,” he said.
He added that improved air connectivity will play a crucial role in boosting inbound travel as Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, with China and Australia remaining among the country’s most important source markets.
Official tourism data shows Malaysia recorded approximately 4.7 million visitors from China and more than 500,000 from Australia in 2025.
Chandran noted that travel facilitation measures, including visa-free entry for Malaysians to China for short stays, continue to support stronger mobility between the two countries, while Australia maintains robust travel flows driven by tourism, business and visiting friends and relatives.
On product offerings, Batik Air said it is enhancing the travel experience for families through its ‘Kids-Eat-Free’ initiative, which provides complimentary meals for young passengers.
The airline also offers more than 20 pre-bookable meal and beverage options, allowing passengers to customise their inflight experience while encouraging early bookings to enjoy savings and reduce food wastage.
With the addition of Shanghai and Sydney, Batik Air further cements its role as a regional connector, offering access to more than 60 destinations across 21 countries through over 1,400 weekly flights. -MalayaDailyToday
