China Southern links Guangzhou to Malacca

In another first for small airports, Chinese airline China Southern has launched a new chartered flight service from Guangzhou (CAN) to Malaysia’s heritage city Malacca (MKZ) on 28th September 2016. The new service will be operated using 737-700 and A319 aircraft from the China Southern fleet.

China Southern Airlines currently flies to eight cities in Malaysia – Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Trengganu and Kuantan as well as Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

The new service is considered something of a coup by the State of Malacca, as this historical city sees a renewal of trade and cultural links begun in the early fifteenth century with the visits of Admiral Cheng Ho’s fleet.

With flights being billed as a ‘chartered service’ it proved difficult to actually place a booking on the China Southern Airlines website, with all days producing a “We are sorry but we cannot find any available flight for your request. Please try another date/route.“.

Flight Schedule between Guangzhou (CAN) and Malacca (MKZ)

(as advised by the airline, with the proviso “Flight numbers and schedules are subject to approval and may change without prior notice.”)

China Southern Airlines is a member of SkyTeam Alliance, currently operating the largest aircraft fleet in China out of their headquarters in Guangzhou. Flying a range of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, they also claim the most developed route network and have a number of subsidiary airlines, including XiamenAir, Sichuan Airlines, Chongqing Airlines and Guizhou Airlines.

images © LL, LKY