Troubled national carrier Malaysia Airlines said today it would expand services to China, Japan, the Middle East and India this year.

"Malaysia Airlines is truly excited at this point in time and we are going to fast track our five year projected strategy to increase frequencies from those points into Malaysia," Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, senior general manager of sales, distribution and marketing told reporters

"Regional connectivity is key to market growth. We want to provide maximum regional and domestic connectivity and examine further possibilities of increased operations o­n potentially lucrative routes," he added.

Malaysia Airlines was optimistic o­n the outlook for the aviation industry despite the recent slump, he said.