Here’s our weekly roundup of new air routes and codeshare partnerships
Batik Air connects Subang and Bangkok
Batik Air has launched its first international service from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport), with flight OD533 from Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok.
The new Subang-Bangkok route operates daily using Boeing 737 aircraft and marks a key step in strengthening air links between Malaysia and Thailand. Positioned closer to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, Subang Airport offers a convenient alternative to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Hong Kong Airlines to launch Hong Kong-Lijiang route from September
Hong Kong Airlines will begin operating direct flights between Hong Kong and Lijiang three times weekly from September 8, 2025. It will be the sole local carrier on the route.
Lijiang is the airline’s third new destination in mainland China this year, following Hulunbuir and Xi’an, as part of its ongoing network expansion. The route will be served by Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flight HX412 will operate from Hong Kong to Lijiang on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The return service, HX413, will run from Lijiang to Hong Kong on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Firefly to relocate jet operations to KLIA Terminal 1
Firefly will relocate its jet operations from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 from August 19, 2025. The airline’s turboprop services will continue to operate from SZB.
Jet services from KLIA will begin on August 19 with the first flight to Tawau. This will be followed by flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu on August 21; Singapore on August 22; Johor Bahru on August 23; Kota Bharu and Terengganu on August 30; and Sibu on September 3.
Firefly will also increase its services between KLIA and Penang from twice weekly to six times weekly starting August 23, with plans to increase to 10 times weekly from November.
The routes will be operated using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
AirAsia expands Indonesia network with new Pontianak services
AirAsia Malaysia will launch two new direct routes to Pontianak, Indonesia, from Kuala Lumpur and Kuching starting September 12, 2025. It will be the only airline operating international services to the capital of West Kalimantan.
The new routes expand AirAsia’s network in Indonesia, following the recent launch of services to Palembang in July and the upcoming Kuala Lumpur-Semarang route in September. With the addition of Pontianak, AirAsia Malaysia will serve 17 destinations in Indonesia, operating 223 weekly flights between the two countries.
