Malaysia Airlines resumes Kuala Lumpur-Fukuoka flights.
Malaysia Airlines has strengthened its overall network in Japan and restored service to the Kyushu region by starting direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Fukuoka. As of the now, the airline’s only direct route connecting Kuala Lumpur and Fukuoka is the restored route.
On September 2, 2026, at 23:45, the first service, MH56, took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 and landed at Fukuoka International Airport (FUK) at 07:05 the next morning. The outward flight, which was flown by a Boeing 737-8, had a load factor of 88%, while the inbound service on September 3 had a load rating of 90%.
In addition to commemorative Oden plush toys and Malaysia Airlines products, passengers leaving Kuala Lumpur received a send-off inspired by Fukuoka’s culture and street food scene.
Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), and Bryan Foong, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business, MAG, represented MAG at the Kuala Lumpur celebration. Noriyuki Shikata, Japan’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Malaysia, joined them.
The plane was greeted with a water cannon salute when it arrived in Fukuoka. Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani, Malaysia’s ambassador-designate to Japan, Low Wen Long, Group Chief Strategy Officer, MAG, Shinji Tagawa, Representative Director, President & CEO, FIAC, and other stakeholders attended a ceremony organised in partnership with Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd. (FIAC).
Access to Kyushu and its tourism attractions, such as Fukuoka’s yatai food booths, Hakata ramen, historic temples, parks, and seaside attractions, will be possible through the Kuala Lumpur-Fukuoka service, which will run up to five times a week.
With the return of service, Malaysia Airlines now operates 26 weekly flights to Japan in addition to its current routes to Tokyo Narita and Osaka.
As part of the Malaysia Airlines-Japan Airlines Joint Business arrangement, the Fukuoka route also increases connectivity.
Passengers going via Fukuoka can connect to domestic routes operated by Japan Airlines to Amami, Sapporo, Izumo, Kochi, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Yakushima, Matsuyama, and Tokushima via the codeshare agreement.
In order to give travellers more booking and connectivity alternatives between Malaysia and Japan, Japan Airlines also applies its code to Malaysia Airlines-run services between Kuala Lumpur and Fukuoka.
Kuala Lumpur offers links to locations in ASEAN, South Asia, and Australasia as well as throughout Malaysia for travellers departing from Japan. Additionally, the reinstated service helps Malaysia’s efforts to attract foreign visitors around Visit Malaysia 2026.
For reservations made by September 14, 2026, Malaysia Airlines is providing savings of up to 30% under its MATTA Fair promotion to commemorate the return. An additional 5% discount is available to Enrich members, and an additional 5% discount is available for Visa purchases made via the airline’s website or mobile app.
