Etihad has revealed that passengers can now journey to five fresh Malaysian destinations – Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau. The national airline of the UAE will collaborate with Batik Air Malaysia through codesharing. This partnership will also facilitate connections to Hanoi and Da Nang in Vietnam, along with Perth in Australia. Passengers can enjoy the integrated services of both airlines on a single ticket. Access to these destinations is available via Batik's hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), which is connected by Etihad's twice-daily flights from Abu Dhabi. Travelers can also have their luggage forwarded to their ultimate destination. The new routes are effective today, with flights starting from July 16, 2024. This agreement broadens the flight options for both incoming and outgoing passengers in Malaysia, offering a wider selection on the combined networks.
Arik De, the Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad, expressed: "We look forward to warmly welcoming customers from Asia to our home in Abu Dhabi, where they can experience our esteemed hospitality, as well as connect to Etihad’s expanding network in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe through our Abu Dhabi hub." Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, the CEO of Batik Air Malaysia, stated: "Our goal is to position Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) as a major transit hub, enhancing Etihad's connectivity for its passengers and ensuring a more comprehensive and convenient travel experience," he added, noting that Etihad passengers can seamlessly transit through KUL to reach various destinations in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and beyond. "Furthermore, this collaboration will increase flight options for Malaysian travelers, providing enhanced travel choices to explore new international destinations beyond Abu Dhabi."
