Kuala lumpur: The inaugural Aero Dili flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) marks a significant step in strengthening connectivity between Malaysia and Timor-Leste, boosting trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties. Timor-Leste's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, highlighted the importance of this development in light of the country's admission as the 11th member of ASEAN in October last year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Freitas emphasized the importance of the new route for relations between the two nations, particularly in terms of connectivity. "Timor-Leste is expanding its links with ASEAN. So far, we have daily flights to Indonesia and Singapore, but this route is particularly important. Malaysia holds historical significance for us, as we gained our full membership here, and our people are happy to maintain this friendship," he stated during the welcoming ceremony for Aero Dili's inaugural flight at KLIA Terminal 2.
The flight was operated using an Airbus A319-100 aircraft with a seating capacity of 122 passengers. The service will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering convenient travel options for both leisure and business travelers between Dili and Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing noted that the introduction of Timor-Leste's national carrier at KLIA reflects deepening bilateral ties and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities in trade and tourism. He mentioned that Timor-Leste offers natural beauty and a rich history, while Malaysia remains a leading destination for ecotourism, medical wellness, and diverse cultural experiences.
Tiong remarked that the new route aligns with preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026, aiming to position Malaysia as a preferred regional hub with stronger connectivity to emerging markets like Timor-Leste. He also praised the collaboration between Aero Dili, Malaysia Airports, Tourism Malaysia, and regulatory stakeholders in making the flight a reality, noting that public-private partnerships continue to drive the tourism sector forward. His speech was delivered by the ministry's deputy secretary-general (Management), Datuk S. Surrendren.