Malaysia carriers ramp up capacity as border reopening draws closer

AirAsia Aviation Group expects to domestic and international capacity to hit pre-pandemic levels by year-end, as key markets — including its home country of Malaysia — are swinging open international borders. The low-cost airline group says it has already more than doubled domestic flight capacity since October 2021, with international flight capacity increased by 50% since early March. The Malaysian government on 8 March announced the country would fully reopen borders to all vaccinated travellers from 1 April, as part of a broader shift towards living with an endemic Covid-19. It joins a growing list of countries in Asia-Pacific — such as Australia, New Zealand and India — which have, or are intending to, fully reopen borders after two years of the coronavirus pandemic. Says AirAsia: “While the airline currently has a number of international services already operating, the announcement of the nation’s reopening will provide a welcome boost to support additional capacity in many of its core international markets in line with significant pent-up demand.” <br/>