Thursday, July 25, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutesMalaysia Airlines’ Amal, the dedicated Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage arm of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), celebrated a significant milestone with the launch of its inaugural flight from Johor Bahru to Madinah on 23 July 2024. This marks the airline’s first direct service to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from a location outside its primary base at KLIA Terminal 1 (KUL).
The inaugural weekly flight, MH162, took off from Senai International Airport (JHB) at 11:35 AM local time, heading to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Madinah International Airport (MED). The service utilizes the airline’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which boasts 284 seats, including 18 in Business Class and 265 in Economy Class. Additionally, Amal will operate a weekly return flight, MH155, from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) to Johor Bahru, departing every Monday at 6:40 PM, offering pilgrims a seamless travel experience.
Since its inception in 2019, Amal by Malaysia Airlines has been dedicated to providing a spiritually enriching journey for its passengers. The airline offers a unique customer value proposition and specialized in-flight services. Passengers can enjoy an in-flight entertainment system featuring Talbiyah and Miqat announcements during the initial leg of the journey. Onboard amenities also include the call to prayer (Azan) and a sermon (Tazkirah), ensuring a reflective and meaningful travel experience.
Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Chief Executive Officer of Airlines from MAG said, “We are thrilled to introduce this direct flight from Johor Bahru to Madinah, as well as from Jeddah to Johor Bahru, which will provide convenience for pilgrims from the southern region of Malaysia, as well as those travelling from Singapore and Indonesian cities such as Batam, Bintan, and Riau. This service demonstrates our commitment to providing convenient and comfortable travel options for our valued pilgrims, and we look forward to continuing our mission of supporting the religious and spiritual needs of our community.”
Mr. Kennedy Ayu, CEO of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB), expressed his enthusiasm for the new service, “We are honoured to partner with Amal by Malaysia Airlines in welcoming this inaugural direct flight from Johor Bahru to Madinah and from Jeddah to Johor Bahru. This initiative reflects our commitment to meeting the diverse travel needs of our passengers and is a significant step in our mission to position Senai International Airport as a leading aviation hub and the main gateway to the Southern region of Malaysia. The simplified check-in processes and easy access due to the compact size of the airport make Senai International Airport an ideal choice for travellers.
The flight not only facilitates Umrah pilgrims and travellers from Johor Bahru, but it also opens new opportunities for business professionals and travellers from neighbouring regions, such as Batam, Sabah, and Sarawak. This new route also introduces Johor Bahru to the Middle Eastern market, showcasing the city’s attractions, including theme parks, shopping malls, local delicacies, and beautiful beaches. This direct flight enhances connectivity and convenience, and with the addition of Madinah, Senai International Airport now operates to 19 destinations. We look forward to welcoming more passengers through Senai International Airport.”
To commemorate this significant milestone, passengers on the inaugural flight received special goodie bags. Senior executives from Senai International Airport and Malaysia Airlines were present to witness the departure, bidding farewell to the Umrah pilgrims. Their presence underscored the importance of this new service in enhancing connectivity and convenience for travelers.