Malaysia Airlines (MAS) announced that it is set to launch its third daily service from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) starting October 2025.
The additional flight service came after a recent increase in air rights between Australia and Malaysia. In November 2024, weekly seats between the two countries were bumped to 50,000 from a previous cap of 36,000. This will make SYD Airport’s annual capacity of the KUL-SYD route to over 630,000 seats—the highest for any Australian airport.
According to Sydney Airport, unlimited passenger capacity between the two countries will commence in 2026.
.@MAS is adding a third daily flight between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur! This boosts our annual capacity to over 630,000 seats—the highest for any Australian airport. 🌏
— Sydney Airport (@SydneyAirport) April 22, 2025
The new service will arrive in Sydney on 30 August 2025 at 06:35 as MH251 and depart at 09:25 as MH250, operated… pic.twitter.com/L2xFBXk6uj
“Malaysia Airlines is one of our most iconic airline partners – our relationship dates back to 1974 and we look forward to continuing to grow together in the future,” Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO said in a statement.
Charlton also thanked the Australian government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for its efforts in expanding air traffic rights between Australia and Malaysia.
“Sydney Airport has experienced strong international growth over the past year, reinforcing our position as the leading choice for new airline capacity into Australia and cementing our status as the nation’s gateway,” Charlton added.
The Hon. Catherine King MP, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government said: “In 2023, over 175,000 Malaysian tourists travelled to Australia, and in 2025, we’re expecting that number to grow with the support of this increase in capacity. The Albanese Labor Government has signed a record number of bilateral air service agreements during our term, and we’re thrilled to see Sydney Airport turning them into a reality – with Türkiye, Hong Kong, and now Malaysia.”