Malaysia’s Malindo Air further expands domestic and Indonesia networks, pressuring Firefly & AirAsia

Malaysian hybrid carrier Malindo Air is doubling its Indonesian network during 4Q2014 with three new routes that leverage its relationship with 49% shareholder Lion Group. Malindo recently launched services to Medan - its fourth destination in Indonesia after Jakarta, Bali and Batam - and will add Pekanbaru in Nov-2014 followed by Bandung in Dec-2014.

Malindo is also expanding its domestic network and will soon serve more airports in peninsular or west Malaysia, 12, than any other carrier. Malindo recently added Ipoh as its 10th destination in peninsular Malaysia and will launch services at Malacca and Kerteh in Nov-2014.

Kerteh will become Malindo's ninth domestic route from its fast growing turboprop base at Kuala Lumpur Subang. In comparison Malaysia Airlines (MAS) regional subsidiary Firefly currently operates seven domestic routes from Subang although it has a bigger international network and is still the leading airline overall at Subang.