Air Berlin and Malaysia airlines... how they can get connected???

Before that, i would like to congratulate Malaysia Airlines staffs for bringing back Malaysia Airlines financial turn into black. I am hoping that Malaysia Airlines keep on going profit and becoming one of the most profit airlines in the world.

Few weeks ago, Malaysia Airlines had announced partnership with Finnair to boost more connections between Malaysia and the Scandinavia region. However, Malaysia Airlines need to have more code share

agreement with European airlines. One of airlines that i identify is Air Berlin. Air Berlin is the second largest airlines in Germany and has widely connections in Germany and Southern Europe. The airlines has three main bases which is in Berlin  - Tegel [soon Berlin - Brandenburg Airport], Dusseldorf and Hamburg. The airlines has subsidiary airlines company based in Vienna - Schewahct airport known as Fly Niki. AirBerlin's main hub in Berlin is located at the heart of european. Based on my review in Wikipedia.com and the airlines website, it has extensive to most European cities such Vienna, Zurich, Warsaw, Munich and many more. Air Berlin would be suitable for Malaysia Airlines. Moreover, Air Berlin's parent company, Etihad airlines has good partnership with Malaysia Airlines, not only for route networks but also benefit for both loyalty customer programme. Furthermore, Etihad Airlines has announced cooperate with Air - France - KLM. KLM is one of Malaysia Airlines "best friend" and surprisingly Air Berlin agree to cooperate with Air France - KLM. Air Berlin will be the best partner/code - share airlines with Malaysia Airlines.

Problems

Both airlines although has good connections in their regions. However, both airlines not have a direct flights between their hubs. Malaysia airlines flies five times a week between KL to only serving German city - Frankfurt. It is hard for both passengers to enjoy Air Berlin connections although Air Berlin has offers flight to Berlin and spanish cities. Furthermore, Malaysia airlines has no direct cities flights to other Germany cities. Other than that, Malaysia Airlines has 4 route networks to London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulles, Frankfurt am Main and Amsterdam Schiphol. But, the main problem is Air Berlin does not fly to Primary airport in order to suit its business model as semi - low cost airlines. The airlines flies to secondary airport to London Stansted, and Paris Orly. Since Etihad Airways acquires 30% stake of Air Berlin, some routes to Asia have been suspended and have been transferred to Etihad Airways in order strengthening Etihad's based in Abu Dhabi as one the most important hub in Middle East.

How to overcome

• Malaysia Airlines and Air Berlin [either one] should have direct flight between Malaysia and Berlin [or Dusseldorf] in order to boost passengers traffic between Malaysia and western Europe.
• If there is demand in Middle East, Malaysia airlines should reconsider opening new routes between Kuala Lumpur to Abu Dhabi. From Abu Dhabi, Air Berlin which able to carry Malaysia Airlines passengers to its hub in Berlin and Dusseldorf.[vice versa] 
• Malaysia airlines need to increase frequency and serve more route networks to European cities.
• Air Berlin need to open domestic or inter - European destinations from Frankfurt. Since most long - haul Oneworld members flies to Frankfurt [if there is demand].
• Air Berlin need to reconsider transferring a small number of flights to major European Airports in London and Paris. Furthermore, Air Berlin may consider to open new routes to Amsterdam Schiphol.
• Air Berlin need to introduce more networks especially to capital cities in order to boost passengers traffic from Berlin - Bradenburg airport, in order to enhance partnership between members of oneworld and strengthening Berlin - Bradenburg airport as one of important points in Europe.
• Ai rBerlin [Etihad Airways' need to think this matter too] need to introduce more flights to South East Asia and East Asia, in order to encourage more partnership with other fellows Oneworld alliance such as Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines

Map below shows the current serving routes [Some of] for both airlines[MH - Red, AB - orange] and suggestion opening new routes [green]

Legend
Red  - Malaysia Airlines current route from KUL to FRA
Orange - Air Berlin route networks
Green - Suggested routes

References
Various Press Media
Air Berlin
Malaysia Airlines Potential Partner


Map
GCMap

Pictures
Courtesy Wikipedia and Business Travel Guru