MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) will expand its network by starting thrice-weekly Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu services from September 1, 2012. The flights will be operated using Boeing B737-800 aircraft.
 

 
Luxury Tours Malaysia manager, Ganneesh Ramaa, said the new direct services between Kuala Lumpur and Kathmandu would help to develop tourism in both Malaysia and Nepal. The KL-Kathmandu route is currently monopolised by Nepal Airlines – which provides six weekly services.
 

Ramaa said that with two airlines operating on the route, Kuala Lumpur would become a gateway for neighbouring countries without direct accessto Kathmandu. His company is keen on developing Buddhist pilgrimage tours to Kathmandu for the Malaysian outbound market, he added.
 
 
 

Meanwhile, MAS will ramp up its daytime frequencies between Kuala Lumpur and Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru starting September 1. Currently, MAS is the only airline providing daily full-service connections between Kuala Lumpur and these Indian cities.
 
 
 

MAS is planning to introduce three additional weekly services from Kuala Lumpur to Mumbai, departing every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 09.20, while extra Bengaluru-bound flights will depart on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 09.50. The additional Kuala Lumpur-Chennai flights will depart the Malaysian capital every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 09.35.