Bangladesh, Oct. 7 -- Malaysia Airlines has become the sixth-largest international carrier serving Australia by passenger numbers, showing a sharp rise in its market share over the past year, according to Australian government data.

The country's Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) data shows the Malaysian flag carrier handled 132,501 passengers to and from Australia in June, a 54.2% increase from 85,907 passengers in the same month last year. Meanwhile, the airline's international passenger market share in Australia rose from 2.5% to 3.9% over the period.

Malaysia Airlines now trails only Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Cathay Pacific. Qantas leads with a 16.7% share, followed by...