PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG) is expected to return to profitability in 2023, and see its ticket sales return to pre-pandemic levels as early as 2024.

       According to MAG chief sustainability officer Philip See, the group is on track to return to the black based on its performance for the first quarter of this year against its budget plan.

       “The key to profitability is to diversify the business, like our cargo business which did quite well during the pandemic. We hope the momentum will continue together with the recovery of air travel,” he told reporters after the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between MAG and Sunway Bhd here yesterday.

       The MoU between MAG and Sunway was aimed at capitalising on each other’s strengths by exploring broad collaborative initiatives.

       The partnership aims to offer comprehensive travel packages covering flights, hotel stays and attractions that promise all-in-one, hassle-free planning.

       In the meantime, customers will also be able to take advantage of the absolute enjoyment on both companies’ MHholidays packages, Journify vacation and theme park vouchers, quarantine facilities and special MH packages.

       The two-year partnership will provide new business opportunities, joint marketing campaigns as well as branding and promotional activities between the two giant Malaysian brands.

       “We are delighted to advance our collaboration with Sunway Group to jointly drive a wide spectrum of collaborative efforts. We believe that these efforts are vital for exploring and capitalising on new opportunities that will emerge to ultimately promote brand awareness at greater levels.” said MAG group chief executive officer Captain Izham Ismail.

       Meanwhile, this collaboration could also act as a catalyst to revive the country’s economy in a wide range of industries, including aviation, property, education, medical tourism and hospitality.

       “Apart from raising both brands’ standing through purposeful collaborations, these efforts will undoubtedly accelerate Malaysia’s economic recovery and growth that was hampered by the pandemic,” said H C Chan, CEO of Sunway Malls and Theme Parks in a statement.

       Sunway’s subsidiaries include Sunway Malls, Sunway Theme Parks, Sunway Property, Sunway Education Group, Sunway Healthcare Group and Sunway Travel.

       On the other hand, MAG’s subsidiaries include Malaysia Airlines Bhd, Firefly, MASwings and Journify.

       Through this MoU, MAG’s subsidiary Malaysia Airlines will be appointed as the preferred airline of Sunway.

       In addition, Sunway’s staff will get to enjoy the same benefits as all the Malaysia Airlines staff where they get discounts on their travels with Malaysia Airlines.

       “At the same time, Sunway will be able to tap into new opportunities through the airline’s tour operating arm, MHholidays; the airline’s digital student travel programme, MHexplorer; and a joint reward programme via the airline’s travel and lifestyle loyalty programme, Enrich,” it said.

       MAG and Sunway plan to offer medical tourism packages that extend exclusive discounts and air travel promotions of MAG’s airline companies for customers requiring treatment at Sunway Healthcare Group’s facilities. With this, both groups hope to promote further growth in the medical tourism sector.