Our History | Malaysia Aviation Group's Milestones & Achievements

Explore Malaysia Aviation Group's rich history, key milestones, and achievements in the aviation industry since 1937.

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Our History

1937

October | Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) incorporates partnership between the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship of Singapore and Imperial Airways.

1947

May | MAL begins commercial services with a flight from Singapore to Penang via Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. Five passengers are on board, together with a pilot and a wireless operator.

1958

February | MAL becomes a public limited company jointly owned by BOAC/Qantas and the governments of Malaya, Singapore and Borneo Territories. May | MAL wins the much-coveted Cumberbatch Trophy by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators of the British Empire, in recognition of having the best safety record among all airlines in 1957.

1960

January | With the delivery of an 84-seat Bristol Britannia, the airline launches its first long-haul international flight to Hong Kong.

1963

November | MAL becomes known as Malaysian Airways Limited in conjunction with the formation of Malaysia.

1966

May | Upon Singapore’s secession from Malaysia, Malaysian Airways becomes known as Malaysia- Singapore Airlines (MSA).

1971

January | The governments of Malaysia and Singapore announce the cessation of their partnership in MSA which is split into two different entities. April | Malaysia Airlines is incorporated and is named as Malaysian Airline System (MAS).

1972

July | Malaysia’s first brand-new Boeing 737-200 touches down at Subang International Airport. September | MSA ceases operations and MAS is officially launched by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman. October | MAS takes to the skies, flying to 41 destinations – 35 domestic and six regional (Jakarta, Medan, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taipei) - with a fleet of 19 aircrafts, 12 inherited from MSA, and seven new B737s.

1974

February | MAS is the first amongst 43 airlines using the B737 aircraft to receive the “Pride in Excellence” award from the Boeing Commercial Airplane Division, for outstanding despatch reliability in the operation of its Boeing aircraft. Arrival of MAS’ first B707 aircraft. April | Commencement of service to Tokyo. July to October | Commencement of service to London (via Dubai), Madras, Manila and Sydney.

1976

July | Launch of KOMMAS computer reservations system in Kuala Lumpur. August | The Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn, officiates the arrival of MAS’ first DC-10-30 aircraft on 21 August. October | The first DC-10-30 takes off on its maiden flight to Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo.

1978

June | Commencement of service to Jeddah.

1979

April | Commencement of service to Seoul. November | The Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, officiates the arrival of MAS’ first A300 B4 aircraft on 15 November 1979.

1980

January | Commencement of service to Amsterdam.

1981

April | Commencement of service to Paris. August | The Minister of Transport Dato’ Lee San Choon, officiates the New Line Maintenance Hangar in Subang.

1982

March | MAS takes delivery of its first Boeing 747-200 aircraft.

1987

October | Launch of a new logo. MAS takes delivery of its first Boeing 747-400.

1992

April | MAS takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-400. December | MAS introduces new uniforms for frontline staff by Italian designer Gherardini.

1997

April | Boeing 777-2H6 ER is delivered to MAS, breaking a world record by flying around the world on the Seattle – Kuala Lumpur – Seattle route, in a test flight by Captain Izham Ismail.

2003

December | Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PNB), the parent company of MAS, signs a firm contract for six Airbus A380-800 aircraft, with delivery scheduled to begin in 2007.

2006

February | Launch of MAS’ third turnaround plan: Business Transformation Plan 1.

2007

February | Launch of Malaysian Hospitality. April | Firefly commences operations with flights from Penang to Langkawi, Kota Baharu, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.

2008

January | Launch of Business Transformation Plan 2.

2009

April | Accorded 5-Star rating from Skytrax for World’s Best Cabin Crew and Asia’s Best Air Cargo Carrier. November | Awarded Asia’s Leading Airline by World Travel Awards 2009. December | MAS wins Best Use of Digital Award.

2010

October | MAS takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-800. November | Recognised as Asia’s Leading Airline by World Travel Awards.

2011

January | Firefly commences Boeing 737-800 flights out of KLIA. August | Launch of fourth turnaround plan: Comprehensive Collaboration Framework (CCF). November | Recognised as Asia’s Leading Airline by World Travel Awards for the second year in a row.

2012

May | MAS takes delivery of its first Airbus A380 aircraft. July | Accorded 5-star World Airline rating by Skytrax.

2013

February | MAS formally joins the one world Alliance. August | Accorded the World’s 5-Star Airline rating by Skytrax. Recognised as Asia’s Leading Airline by World Travel Awards.

2014

August | Launch of fifth turnaround plan: MAS Recovery Plan (MRP) by shareholder. December | MAS is privatised and delisted from Bursa Malaysia.

2015

January | The Malaysian Airline System Berhad (Administration) Act 2015 (MAS Act) is gazetted. May | Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG) is formed. August | MAS ceases operations. September | Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) is formed and commences full airline operations.

2017

April | The first airline to adopt SITAONAIR (solution for real-time, space-based alerting system for flight tracking). September | MAB is the first airline and locally owned company in Malaysia to be granted the EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) Part 21 certificate, paving the way towards operational and engineering excellence. November | MAG declares zero tolerance for human and wildlife trafficking. Malaysia Airlines welcomes its first A350 XWB aircraft. December | Malaysia Airlines is Indonesia’s Leading ASEAN Airline at the 8th Indonesia Travel Tourism Awards 2017/2018.

2018

May | Launch of ‘Malaysian Hospitality Begins with Us’ campaign. September | Launch of MAG corporate song, MH Song. November | Malaysia Airlines is named Industry Champion at the BrandLaureate Brand Icon Award.

2019

February | Malaysia Airlines launches AMAL, a pilgrim-centric service dedicated to Hajj and Umrah. September | Malaysia Airlines is awarded: Best Airline in Asia at ITB Berlin Gold for Best Performance Campaign Bronze for Best Use of Data in Malaysian Digital Association (MDA) July | MAG launches its Long-Term Business Plan (LTBP).

2020

April | Malaysia Airlines operates rescue and deportation flights during COVID-19. Management team embarks on Project Darwin, a financial restructuring plan as well as business strategy. June | Introduction of MAG’s New Way of Working. July | Roll out of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) across MAG. September | one world member airlines commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. TNB powers Malaysia Airlines with green energy by installing solar panels on four of MAB’s buildings in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). October | Malaysia Airlines embarks on a restructuring exercise. MAG introduces MHEdgile, an upskilling and reskilling programme for employees.

2021

January | Malaysia Airlines bags two Gold awards for HR Leader of the Year and Excellence in Workplace Culture; and lands a Silver award for Excellence in Digital Transformation at the HR Excellence Awards 2020. February | Malaysia Airlines is named a Putra Brand Icon and wins a Platinum in Transportation, Travel & Tourism at the Putra Brand Awards 2020. MAG restructuring plan is approved by the UK courts. March | Launch of the Long-Term Business Plan (LTBP) 2.0. April | Launch of the MAG Sustainability Blueprint. July | MAG achieves 100% vaccination rate among Malaysian employees. Launch of Journify: Malaysia’s integrated travel and lifestyle platform for consumers to discover, plan and shop. August | Launch of a new Enrich loyalty system for an enhanced digital experience.

2022

March | Launch of Women@MAG and introduction of MAG’s Statement of Purpose. April | Firefly resumes jet operations from its Penang Hub. May | Malaysia Airlines launches direct flights to Doha. June | Malaysia Airlines flies first passenger flight with NESTE MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supplied by PETRONAS. Malaysia Airlines launches new in-flight safety video ‘Satu Dua Tiga, Jom!’ July | Malaysia Airlines Berhad awarded IATA’s Operational Safety Audit registration. August | Malaysia Airlines launches direct flights for Kota Kinabalu - Singapore route. MAG acquires 20 new A330neo as part of fleet modernisation plan. Malaysia Airlines launches direct flights to Haneda. September | Malaysia Airlines is Asia's Leading Airline for Business Class at the 29th World Travel Awards. November | Malaysia Airlines launches new direct flights for Kuala Lumpur – Yogyakarta. Malaysia Airlines celebrates 35 years of its frequent flyer programme, Enrich. Malaysia Airlines awarded Best Seat Comfort in Eastern Asia at the 2023 APEX Passenger Choice Awards.

2023

January | MAG joins the United Nations Global Compact to advance sustainability efforts. Malaysia Aviation Group Implements New Target Operating Model (TOM). April | MAG advances its distribution capabilities with the introduction of MHplus. MAG posts turnaround in operating profit at RM556mil from -RM767mil a year ago. May | MAB Engineering Services (MABES) reorganised as a wholly owned entity of MAG. Firefly commences intra-Borneo services transfer from Malaysia Airlines. June | Malaysia Airlines launches Voluntary Carbon Offset Programme in collaboration with CHOOOSE. MAG’s airlines first to enable gate-to-gate connectivity in Malaysia. July | Malaysia Airlines offers free Wi-Fi beginning 1 July 2023. October | MAG bags Silver award for Excellence in Employee Engagement at the HR Excellence Awards 2023. Malaysia Airlines resumes route between Kuala Lumpur and Kertajati. November | Firefly Commences Inaugural Flight from Penang to Bangkok. Malaysia Airlines Commences Inaugural Flights to Amritsar and Trivandrum. MAG’s First Boeing 737-8 Aircraft Lands in Kuala Lumpur. MAG’s First Boeing 737-8 Aircraft Advances its Fleet Modernisation. December | Malaysia Airlines and Universiti Malaya Centre for Continuing Education Join Forces to Bring Education on the Go.

2024

January | Malaysia Aviation Group Unveils New MAB Academy Campus and Corporate Website. Malaysia Aviation Group Unveils Modernised Ground Uniform. February | Malaysia Aviation Group Elevates Tourism Accessibility: Paving the Way for 'Visit Malaysia 2026' Vision. MAG and MATTA Strengthen Strategic Alliance as Long-Term Partners to Fuel Tourism Industry Advancement. Airbus and Malaysia Aviation Group Ink MOU to Conduct Emissions Studies. March | Malaysia Airlines Elevates Its Sustainability Initiatives with the Launch of Its Corporate Carbon Programme. Malaysia Aviation Group Progresses Towards 25by2025 Goals, Achieves 50% Female Representation in Senior Management Positions. Malaysia Aviation Group Achieves Positive Operating Profit for Second Consecutive Year, up 64% at RM889mil. Malaysia Airlines Announces Strategic Global Partnership with Manchester United; Introduces Three New Destinations and Airbus A330neo Seats. April | Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo Sign MoU to Boost Connectivity Between Two Key Tourism Markets. Malaysia Aviation Group Strengthens Airlines Customer Support Channels. New MAB Academy and Flight Simulator Building to Strengthen Position as Premier Aviation and Hospitality Hub in the Region. Tourism Malaysia And Malaysia Aviation Group Forge Strategic Partnership To Strengthen Malaysia's Tourism Industry For VMY2026. May | MAB Engineering Services Commemorates First Anniversary with the Launch of the Nation’s First Aircraft Maintenance Digital Certification. Malaysia Aviation Group and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Malaysia Unite in Support of National Sports Development Vision 2030. Firefly Elevates Passenger Experience with Refreshed In-Flight Dining Experience and Neighbour Free Seat Options. Malaysia Airlines Strengthens Role as Main Sponsor of Football Association of Malaysia. June | Malaysia Airlines Expands Amritsar Operations, Introduces Daily Flights for Enhanced Connectivity. Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo Sign Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Cargo Business Operations. Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Partner to Boost Sarawak Tourism. July | China Southern Airlines and Malaysia Airlines Expand Codeshare Flights to Strengthen Air Connectivity. Malaysia Airlines Celebrates the First Batch of Orang Asli Cabin Crew Graduates. Amal by Malaysia Airlines Commences Inaugural Direct Flight from Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru to Madinah. A ugust | Malaysia Airlines Launches Direct Route to Maldives. Malaysia Airlines and Air Mauritius Broaden Connectivity for Customers with Reinstatement of Codeshare Flights. Malaysia Airlines Expands ASEAN Network with Commencement of Five Times Weekly Flights to Chiang Mai. September | Experience the City of Light, Paris with Malaysia Airlines with Direct Flights beginning 22 March 2025. Malaysia Airlines Extends Carbon Credit Portfolio to Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project – First Certified Nature-Based Carbon Project in Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight to Da Nang. MAB Engineering Services Boosts MRO Capabilities with Piedmont Propulsion and Meraque Services Partnerships. October | Malaysia Aviation Group Appoints Sagar Sanjay Dighe as Chief Executive Officer of MAG Catering Operations (MCAT). Malaysia Airlines Set to Expand India Network with the Reinstatement of Direct Flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kolkata. Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo Cement Codeshare Partnership for Enhanced Connectivity Between Two Key Tourism Markets. Malaysia Airlines Earns Global Recognition as APEX Four Star Major Airline; Ranked Among Top 10 Best Airlines in the World. November | Malaysia Airlines Showcases Evolution of Iconic ‘Sarong Kebaya’ Uniforms Onboard. MASkargo and Qatar Airways Cargo Launch New Strategic Partnership. Malaysia Airlines Launches MH Young Explorers Club in Celebration of World Children’s Day. MAG’s First A330neo Aircraft Lands in Kuala Lumpur. December | Malaysia Airlines Expands Network with Inaugural Flight to Kolkata. Malaysia Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways Reinstate Codeshare Partnership with Enhanced Travel Connectivity.. MAG Unveils Its First A330neo, Ushering in a New Era of Air Travel.

2025

January | Malaysia Airlines and Firefly Receive Industry Recognition for Aviation Excellence and Innovation. February | Malaysia Aviation Group Signs SPA for MASwings Ownership Transfer to Sarawak Government. Firefly Expands Subang Jet Operations with the Launch of New Direct Routes to Kuching and Singapore. MAB Academy Secures IATA CBTA Provider Certification for DGR Training, Strengthening its Position as a Leading Aviation Training Centre. Malaysia Aviation Group and Singapore Tourism Board Renew Partnership to Boost Travel to Singapore. Malaysia Aviation Group and FatHopes Energy Partner to Drive Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Innovation. March | MAB Engineering Services Showcases Future Horizon – Pioneering the Next Era of Aircraft MRO. Malaysia Aviation Group Acquires 30 New Narrowbody Aircraft to Advance Fleet Renewal. Malaysia Airlines Returns to Paris with Its Inaugural Flight to Charles de Gaulle. April | Malaysia Aviation Group Achieves Positive NIAT of RM54mil and Third Consecutive Operating Profit on the Back of Operational Headwinds. Malaysia Airlines Unveils Manchester United Livery, Resumes Brisbane Service; Boosts Asia-Pacific Frequencies. MASkargo, Qatar Airways Cargo and IAG Cargo Announce Intention to Launch a Global Cargo Joint Business. Malaysia Airlines, Brisbane Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Travel to Queensland. Malaysia Airlines and Melbourne Airport Sign MoU to Enhance Connectivity and Launch Third Daily Service to Victoria. Malaysia Airlines and Atout France Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Travel to France. May | MAB Academy Honoured with IATA CBTA Centre Innovation Award for Virtual Reality Training in Dangerous Goods Handling. Malaysia Aviation Group Leads as First Airline Group in Malaysia to Achieve ISO 37001 Certification. Malaysia Airlines Debuts Special Manchester United Livery During 2025 Asia Post-Season Tour. June | Malaysia Aviation Group Partners with Laura Mercier as Official Cosmetics Partner. July | Malaysia Airlines Introduces Airbus A330-900 on Narita to Kuala Lumpur Route. FlyUs Partners with MASkargo to Expand Cold Chain Cargo from France. August | Malaysia Airlines Brings New A330neo Business Class to Sydney. Firefly Commences Jet Operations from KLIA with Inaugural Flight to Tawau. Firefly Ceased Jet Operations at Subang Airport. Malaysia Airlines Adopts Amadeus Travel Ready solution. September | Firefly Expands New Services to Krabi, Siem Reap and Cebu. Malaysia Aviation Group Unveils Chengdu, Krabi, Siem Reap and Cebu routes with Firefly. Malaysia Airlines to Fly Daily from Adelaide, Introducing A330neo. Malaysia Airlines in Partnerships with State Tourism Boards in Penang, Sarawak and Langkawi. Malaysia Airlines Signs Codeshare with Qantas, Expanding Australia Network. Malaysia Airlines Makes History with All-Women Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. Malaysia Airlines Debuts Safety Video While Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Unity. Malaysia Aviation Group Forges Partnership with Adobe, Skyscanner, Google and Visa. October | Firefly Partners with Tourism Authority of Thailand to Bring Travellers Closer to the Coastal Beauty of Krabi and Phuket. Malaysia Airlines Collaborates with Cambodia to Boost Air Connectivity and Tourism. Malaysia Airlines Collaborates with Cambodia to Boost Air Connectivity and Tourism. Malaysia Airlines Becomes the 10th Airline in New Terminal at Velana International Airport. Malaysia Aviation Group Expands China Connectivity with New Charter Services to Chongqing and Macau Operated by Firefly in support of Visit Malaysia 2026. Malaysia Airlines Earns Global Recognition as APEX Four Star Major Airline. MAB Engineering in Partnerships with MTU Maintenance Zhuhai for MRO Services. MAB Academy Selects CAE to Deliver a New Boeing 737-8 Full-Flight Simulator. Malaysia Airlines' Enrich Wins Best Frequent Flyer Programme in Asia-Pacific. November | Malaysia Aviation Group MD Captain Izham Ismail to Retire on 31 January 2026. Firefly Launches Inaugural Jet Service from KLIA to Krabi. Malaysia Airlines Resumes Direct Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Brisbane. December | Malaysia Aviation Group Unveils Long-Term Business Plan 3.0 to Accelerate Next Phase of Growth. Malaysia Airlines and Royal Air Maroc Sign New Codeshare Partnership to Enhance Connectivity Across Africa, Europe and Asia. Transition of MASwings Operations to AirBorneo Effective 1 January 2026.

2026

January | MAB Academy Launches Simulator Building to Strengthen Leadership in Aviation Training. Malaysia Airlines Commences Inaugural Flights to Chengdu. Malaysia Airlines Partners with Mumbai Indians, India’s Biggest Cricket Team, to Drive Growth in India and Beyond. Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines Formalise Strategic Joint Business Partnership. February | MAB Engineering Services Collaborates with Boeing to Strengthen Asia-Pacific MRO Support. Firefly Achieves IOSA Registry Renewal Following Successful Risk-Based Audit. March | Malaysia Aviation Group Delivers Fourth Consecutive Year of Operating Profit with NIAT of RM137 Million in 2025. Malaysia Airlines Ranked #20 Globally Among the World’s Best Full-Service Airlines for 2026 by AirlineRatings. April | Malaysia Airlines Unveils Fukuoka, Shenzen and Changsha Routes. Malaysia Airlines and Visa Malaysia Partner to Drive Travel Demand and Deliver Seamless Payment Experiences. Amal by Malaysia Airlines Strengthens Strategic Partnerships with Leading Umrah Agencies for 1448H Season. Malaysia Aviation Group Renews Partnership with MATTA, Strengthening Role as Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor of Malaysia’s Largest Travel Fair. MASkargo and Teleport Partner to Advance Regional Air Cargo Connectivity Across Southeast Asia.