New air VTLs involving Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia will be implemented by 15 March

The federal government is making preparations to implement the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) by air with Thailand and Cambodia by 15 March as part of joint efforts to reopen international borders, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.

With the VTL, he said that fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to travel the designated routes without being required to quarantine upon arrival.

“These routes are expected to aid our mutual economic recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in reviving the ailing tourism industry,” Wee said in a statement.

For Thailand, Wee said the designated airlines from both countries will be allowed to mount up to 6 flights daily on the Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok route and up to 4 flights daily for the Kuala Lumpur-Phuket route while additional routes may be added subject to mutual agreement by both countries.

As for Cambodia, the designated airlines from both countries will be allowed to operate up to 2 flights daily on the Kuala Lumpur-Phnom Penh route while additional routes may be added subject to market demand.

Wee said these VTL routes will be served by all the 3 countries’ designated carriers under the VTL initiative.

Meanwhile, the related standard operating procedures (SOP) and health protocols will be released by their respective agencies soon. Wee also said he expects travellers to comply with the protocols responsibly to enjoy the VTL facility.

On the other hand, Wee said the government will continue discussions with other neighbouring Asean countries on the safe reopening of additional routes in the future.

As of now, Malaysia has an air and land VTL arrangement with Singapore. In a statement earlier, Singapore has expanded the route to include an air VTL between Changi International Airport and Penang International Airport.

In the meantime, Malaysia and Brunei have agreed in principle to implement the same soon.