Malaysia Airlines today announced further cuts to its routes, dropping some flights to China, Indonesia and Japan as part of cost-saving measures aimed at reversing its flagging fortunes.

Over the next three months, the airline will drop twice-weekly return flights from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah to Shanghai, and twice-weekly services from Tawau in Sabah to Tarakan in Indonesia.

Its thrice-weekly Airbus A330-300 return service from Kuala Lumpur to Fukuoka, Japan will be cut, as will the twice-weekly Airbus A330-300 direct service between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu in China, the airline said in a statement.

"Through this network right-sizing, in line with our business turnaround plan, we will improve our connectivity and frequency through KL International Airport," said managing director Idris Jala.

"Currently, we operate only two daily waves of flight arrivals and departures through KLIA but after 1 August this year, we will shift to four waves per day," he said.

Three-year plan

He said the airline would continue to "harness existing and future code-share agreements with partner airlines to ensure minimal impact on Malaysia's position as a top tourist destination."

Malaysia Airlines in March announced the beginning of its "route rationalisation plan," which involves cutting certain domestic destinations and long-haul international routes.

Route changes announced in March included the axing of flights to cities in India, China and Europe.

The changes are part of a three-year plan introduced by Jala to revive the carrier's fortunes after it posted a RM1.3 billion loss for the 2005 financial year.