BEIJING, China: Malaysia is seeking more flights and better time slots for AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines into China, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today.
Speaking to the Malaysian media after his courtesy call on China's transport minister Li Xiao Peng here, he said AirAsia had applied for three additional destinations - Nanning and Wuxi from Kuala Lumpur, and Beijing from Bangkok.
"These are mainly second tier cities that they have applied for since last year," Liow said, adding that AirAsia already files to 19 destinations in China.
Malaysia Airlines, meanwhile, has requested 5th freedom rights for its cargo operations, which would enable flights to Zhengzhou to continue on to New Delhi.
Liow said he also conveyed to his counterpart the request by both airlines for better time slots, preferably in the daytime.
Currently flights from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, for example, arrive past midnight and passengers would only reach their hotels at 2-3am.
"I am confident that Malaysia's requests received very positive response from minister Li. He has directed his officers to expedite these matters at the working level," he added.