January 16, 2020: Starting January 27, 2020, Qatar Airways expanded its codeshare cooperation with Malaysia Airlines. The new codeshare agreement will strengthen the two airlines’ strategic partnership, first initiated in 2001.

On October 15, 2019, Qatar Airways commenced five times weekly service to Langkawi as part of the airline's expansion plans in Southeast Asia. It marks Qatar Airways' third destination in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

With 10 Qatar Airways destinations covered by the airlines’ current codeshare cooperation, the expanded agreement will allow Malaysia Airlines passengers to book travel to 20 additional Qatar Airways gateways in Europe, America, and Africa.

In turn, Qatar Airways passengers will benefit from access to four exciting new destinations in South East Asia. They can now book travel on Malaysia Airlines’ flights to Sibu, Malaysia; Alor Setar, Malaysia; Medan, Indonesia; and Surabaya, Indonesia. This brings the total number of codeshare routes in Malaysia Airlines’ network to 24.

Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said, “Since 2001, both airlines have witnessed the significant benefits codeshare cooperation has brought, providing passengers with unrivalled service and seamless connections. The expansion of codeshare cooperation between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines is a natural next step in the strengthening of our partnership.”

Malaysia Airlines group chief executive Izham Ismail said, “Malaysia Airlines is delighted to further develop and grow our relationship with Qatar Airways with this codeshare agreement. Through this cooperation, we will be able to provide travel options for our outbound travellers as well as inviting more travellers to experience the beauty Malaysia has to offer. We look forward to sharing our Malaysian hospitality further and provide a truly Malaysian experience for our passengers.”

The airline will add Osaka, Japan; Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Almaty and Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; Accra, Ghana; Cebu, Philippines; Trabzon, Turkey; Lyon, France; Siem Reap, Cambodia; and Luanda, Angola to its extensive network in 2020.

Malaysia Airlines serves 59 destinations from its hub, Kuala Lumpur International Airport.