Early involvement in pilgrimage flights
Malaysia Airlines commenced its Hajj operations on October 6, 1974, with its inaugural flight departing from Subang International Airport. Prior to this, Malaysian Hajj travelers had relied on chartered aircraft from Pakistan International Airlines and Sudan Airways for their journey to Saudi Arabia.[2]
In its inaugural year, Malaysian Airline System transported 3,200 pilgrims, which accounted for half of the total number, with the remaining Hajj passengers traveling by sea. A total of 21 chartered flights were conducted, each carrying 169 passengers, under a charter agreement worth RM3.2 million.[2]
The final sea voyage for Malaysian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia occurred in 1976, after which all Hajj travel was conducted by air.[3] By 1977, Malaysian Airline System became the sole carrier for Malaysian Hajj operations, a role it maintained until 1997, significantly improving the efficiency and reliability of pilgrimage travel. This early involvement laid the foundation for the establishment of AMAL in 2019.[2]
With the liberalisation of Malaysia's air travel industry from 1997 onwards, Malaysia Airlines was no longer the exclusive provider of Hajj flights. As a result, other airlines, including domestic operators such as AirAsia, Transmile and Eaglexpress, along with international carriers like Saudia, began offering Hajj services for Malaysian pilgrims.
The foundation of Amal by Malaysia Airlines was laid in 2017 when Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) unveiled an initiative known as Project Hope. This project focused on converting Malaysia Airlines' six Airbus A380 aircraft into a specialised high-capacity charter airline, primarily designed to serve Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Introduced in June 2017, the airline was envisioned as the world's first "ultra high-capacity" charter service.[4]
In October 2018, the concept of Amal was formally developed with the aim of enhancing Malaysia Airlines' pilgrimage services. The airline sought to address a gap in the market by providing a premium pilgrimage experience that went beyond traditional travel options. This service was designed as a comprehensive package for pilgrims, encompassing flights, accommodations and ground transportation to the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah.[5][6]
Ahead of Amal's official launch in February 2019, Malaysia Airlines began initial operations using its existing fleet. These operations focused on charter flights during the Hajj season, connecting Kuala Lumpur to major cities in Saudi Arabia, such as Jeddah and Madinah. This phase helped the airline establish a foothold in the competitive pilgrimage travel market.
2019–2020: Official launch and growth
Amal by Malaysia Airlines was officially launched on February 12, 2019, marking the airline's formal entry into the Hajj and Umrah travel sector.[7] The launch event, attended by key figures including Malaysia’s Economic Affairs Minister, highlighted the service's significance in Malaysia Airlines' long-term business strategy. Amal's branding and operations were designed to provide a premium pilgrimage experience, addressing both the practical and spiritual needs of travelers.[6]
Initially, Amal was conceived as a standalone airline focused on pilgrimage, with plans to refurbish and reconfigure Malaysia Airlines' A380s for this purpose. The airline was to be registered as a separate entity with its own logo, aircraft livery and payroll. However, over time, AMAL became a brand under Malaysia Airlines' broader portfolio rather than a fully independent airline.[8]
The service initially targeted Southeast Asia, focusing on Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, regions with large Muslim populations and high demand for pilgrimage travel. Amal aimed to capture a significant portion of the Umrah market, positioning itself as a high-end service provider for Muslim travelers. The airline's initial goals included capturing 60% of the Malaysian Umrah market, 10% of the Indonesian market
2020–2023: Challenges and recovery post-COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on Amal, forcing it to suspend operations amid global travel restrictions. The Hajj pilgrimage was also suspended for two consecutive years, further affecting Amal's services.
Amal resumed operations on October 30, 2021, with flight MH8216 to Madinah, marking the airline's first scheduled flight to Saudi Arabia in nearly two years. This followed the reopening of Saudi Arabia’s borders to fully vaccinated international travelers, particularly those intending to perform Umrah and Hajj. By November 30, 2021, Amal had expanded its operations to up to eight weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah and Madinah. The first flight showed strong demand, and by May 2022, Amal aimed to accommodate up to 75,000 passengers, contingent on the ongoing COVID-19 situation.[9]
As Saudi Arabia reopened its borders to international pilgrims on August 1, 2022, Amal also prepared for a rapid recovery, with a target to return to pre-pandemic levels by Q4 2022. For the upcoming Umrah season (1443 Hijrah), the airline aimed to begin flights on November 15, 2022, operating two daily flights with three aircraft, gradually increasing flights to three or four daily as the Hajj season approached. Before the pandemic, Amal had operated three daily flights using A380-800 and A330 aircraft, but planned to exclusively use the A330 for future operations.[10]
2024–present: Future aspirations
Amal plans to double its annual Umrah pilgrim capacity from 20,000 to 40,000 passengers within the next three to five years. Between January and April 2024, the airline transported an average of 20,000 Umrah pilgrims monthly, supported by three daily flights to Jeddah and Madinah. To achieve its target, Amal aims for annual growth of 5–10%, driven by increasing demand for its services. The airline has also expanded its operations in Indonesia, flying pilgrims from six cities, including Jakarta and Surabaya, with transit through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Approximately 10% of its current Umrah passengers are from Indonesia, alongside pilgrims from Singapore, southern Thailand and Indochina.[12]
In July 2024, Amal launched its inaugural direct flight from Johor Bahru to Madinah, marking the airline’s first direct service to Saudi Arabia from outside its home base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The once-weekly flight operates from Senai International Airport to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, offering greater convenience for pilgrims from Malaysia’s southern region, as well as Singapore and nearby Indonesian cities like Batam, Bintan and the Riau Islands Province. Amal will also operate a return flight from Jeddah to Johor Bahru, further enhancing its services.[13]
