Batik Air has announced plans to extend its route network with new direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Shanghai and Sydney, scheduled for summer 2026. The airline will commence flights to Shanghai on June 23, 2026, and to Sydney on July 1, 2026, marking significant growth in its international reach.
Operating on Boeing 737 aircraft for the Shanghai route, Batik Air aims to strengthen its existing Chinese destination portfolio, which includes cities like Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou. The new service to Shanghai addresses a growing demand for travel between Malaysia and China, supported by visa-free entry for Malaysian travelers, which has significantly increased visitor traffic.
On the Australian front, the airline's new Kuala Lumpur-Sydney service will be non-stop, providing seven weekly flights on Airbus A330 aircraft. Fares are competitive, with prices starting at RM 749 (US $170) for economy class and RM 4,069 (US $926) for business class. This direct route is expected to bolster tourism and business travel, further enhancing Malaysia's connectivity to key global markets.
According to Batik Air CEO Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, the expansion is driven by authentic market demand and aims to support Malaysia’s vision for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Despite the global uncertainties, the airline remains optimistic about future travel demand, emphasizing the importance of these routes for economic and people-to-people ties with China and Australia.
