DILI, TIMOR-LESTE – A historic milestone has taken off, quite literally, as Batik Air Malaysia launched its inaugural direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Dili, making it the first Malaysian carrier to offer scheduled commercial services to Timor-Leste.
This groundbreaking development signals a new era of connectivity between Malaysia and one of Southeast Asia’s youngest nations, paving the way for stronger economic, tourism, and cultural ties.
According to Batik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, this route wouldn’t have become a reality without the tireless efforts of Malaysia’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Dato’ Amarjit Singh Sarjit Singh.
His determination to revive the initiative which had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in bringing the project back to life.
“This all began during the pandemic, when Batik Air operated several charter flights between Dili and Kuala Lumpur,” Chandran recalled.
“But those services eventually stopped. Dato’ Amarjit did not give up. He took it upon himself to initiate direct communications with the relevant ministries in both countries.
“He even wrote a letter of support directly to me. It was his words and more importantly, his action that reignited our efforts and made this scheduled flight a reality.”
At the time, there was no formal bilateral air services agreement between Malaysia and Timor-Leste. Yet, Dato’ Amarjit’s proactive diplomacy succeeded in accelerating discussions and securing regulatory approvals from the aviation authorities of both nations.
Batik Air also acknowledged the swift and positive response from Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport and Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, which played a crucial role in making the route official in record time.
The inaugural journey, which was nothing short of celebratory, saw the Boeing 737 aircraft receive a grand welcome with a traditional water salute upon arrival at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport.
Passengers were warmly greeted with vibrant cultural performances and special commemorative gifts courtesy of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
The occasion was further elevated by the presence of Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, who joined the flight alongside members of the Malaysian and Timorese media, invited guests, and diplomatic figures.
Upon arrival, the welcoming ceremony was hosted by Timor-Leste’s Vice Prime Minister, H.E. Dato Sri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, with the attendance of Ambassador Dato’ Amarjit Singh and Timor-Leste’s Minister of Transport and Communications, H.E. Mr. Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu.
Several ASEAN ambassadors also joined the occasion, highlighting the regional significance of the event.
Batik Air expressed its deepest appreciation to the government of Timor-Leste, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Civil Aviation Authority, and Customs, whose collective support helped transform this dream into a fully operational international route.
Datuk Chandran said that this is more than just the launch of a new flight route.
It is a bridge between two culturally rich nations and a step forward in supporting Timor-Leste’s aspirations to become a full ASEAN member.
The direct connection to Kuala Lumpur also enables passengers from Dili to access over 60 global destinations via Batik Air’s extensive codeshare network, which includes airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Turkish Airlines.
“This route is not just about expanding our service it represents Batik Air’s long-term commitment to contribute to the growth of Timor-Leste,” Chandran said.
The three-day trip concluded with a welcome-home celebration at KLIA, co-hosted by Tourism Malaysia, which further highlighted the importance of this partnership in promoting tourism and regional integration.
Batik Air’s new Kuala Lumpur–Dili service, currently operating twice weekly, stands as a symbol of resilience, diplomacy, and the power of vision turned into flight.
As the skies between Malaysia and Timor-Leste open wider, so too do the opportunities for collaboration, development, and friendship.
Timor-Leste awaits and Batik Air is proud to lead the way. -MalayaDailyToday
