Muslim-friendly digital travel and lifestyle platform, Ikhlas Com Travel & Umrah (stylised as Ikhlas.com), has recently relaunched its services and packages.

Ikhlas.com was founded in April 2020 by Ikhlas Kamarudin, and officially launched in October that same year under Capital A. It was developed to help Muslim travellers fulfil their religious obligations while on a trip, and enjoy a stress-free, syariah-compliant holiday.

Built on the values of affordability, inclusivity and comfort, Ikhlas.com offers curated travel packages and itineraries, as well as seamless booking mechanics. Designed and curated with the modern Muslim traveller in mind, these packages feature itineraries that go beyond the typical tourist trail.

From halal-certified and Muslim-friendly accommodations and local cuisines, to prayer-friendly stops and culturally immersive experiences, the platform aims to reshape how Muslims explore the world.

“Travel today is about more than just destinations – it’s about how we connect, reflect and return as better Muslims.

“What makes us different is the depth of detail behind every journey. Each package is designed, personally experienced and refined by travel experts who have been to the destination multiple times.

“Our guides speak the local language, know where to go and include unique highlights,” said chief executive officer Ikhlas at a launch event recently.

Some of the highlights mentioned include trending or viral spots like cafes and thrift markets, curated halal dining experiences and other activities that Ikhlas said are often “missing in typical itineraries”.

Group tours on Ikhlas.com are kept small to maximise on comfort and to make it easier to personalise itineraries. Special care is given to senior travellers, as well as families with young children.

Meanwhile, prayer obligations are prioritised between activities and excursions. All meals are halal-certified or Muslim-friendly whenever possible, or at the very least, vegetarian/vegan.

For more information, head to the website or download the Ikhlas.com app.

To celebrate its relaunch, the company has numerous promotions including “Buy 1, Free 1” deals and discounts of up to RM4,000 on group packages to selected destinations.

Ikhlas.com collaborates with Capital A’s subsidiary airline, AirAsia.

Back to KUL

In other news, Firefly will soon relocate its jet operations from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport or Subang Skypark (SZB) to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1.

The airline’s turboprop services will remain in SZB, to ensure ongoing connectivity to key destinations.

Effective Aug 19, the relocation is part of Malaysia Aviation Group’s long-term network optimisation plan.

In a press release, MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said, “The move to KUL allows Firefly to scale its jet operations more efficiently, improve passenger connectivity and better leverage MAG’s shared capabilities in engineering, ground handling and catering.

“This decision reinforces our commitment to strengthening KUL as the main aviation hub, while continuing to offer accessible air travel options across the country.”

The move will be rolled out in phases, beginning with the first flight to Tawau, Sabah on Aug 19.

This is followed by flights to Kuching (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) on Aug 21; Singapore on Aug 22; Johor Baru on Aug 23; Kota Baru (Kelantan) and Kuala Terengganu on Aug 30; and Sibu (Sarawak) on Sept 3.

Firefly will also increase its existing services from KUL to PEN (Penang) from two times weekly to six times weekly beginning Aug 23, before increasing that to 10 times weekly in November.

In celebration of this milestone, Firefly is offering exclusive all-in, one-way promotional fares – as low as RM58 – with tickets now open for booking.

Passengers affected by the transition will be contacted directly, with options for alternative travel arrangements or full refunds provided in line with the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016.

For more information, visit the official Firefly website.

Batik to Bangkok

Batik Air recently flew its inaugural direct flight from the Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, Thailand to SZB. The flight marked a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand, according to Tourism Malaysia.

The agency said that Batik Air’s new daily service not only underscores the airline’s commitment to position SZB as a key city airport hub, but also supports national efforts to boost inbound tourism. At the same time, the move enhances travel accessibility ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.

The SZB-DMK route is the airline’s first international service from the Subang Skypark, and is operated on a Boeing 737 aircraft.

In addition to that, Batik Air has also launched direct flight services to Kuching from SZB, further enhancing its domestic network.

Batik Air currently operates 57 weekly flights between Malaysia and Thailand, connecting Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru with key Thai destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai.