- IBM Quantum Nighthawk: processor built for quantum advantage will deliver circuits with 30 percent more complexity
- Together with partners, IBM contributes three experiments to open, community quantum advantage tracker, with results comparable to leading classical simulation methods
- New Qiskit capabilities show 24 percent increase in accuracy with dynamic circuits and decreased cost of extracting accurate results by over 100 times with HPC-powered error mitigation.
- IBM Quantum Loon demonstrates all hardware elements of fault-tolerant quantum computing
- Efficient quantum error correction decoding achieved with 10 times speedup over current leading approach1 – completed one year ahead of schedule
- IBM doubles development speed with shift to 300mm wafer fabrication facility while boosting the physical complexity of quantum chips by 10 times for fault-tolerant error correction roadmap
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the annual Quantum Developer Conference, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled fundamental progress on its path to delivering both quantum advantage by the end of 2026 and fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2029.
"There are many pillars to bringing truly useful quantum computing to the world," said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. "We believe that IBM is the only company that is positioned to rapidly invent and scale quantum software, hardware, fabrication, and error correction to unlock transformative applications. We are thrilled to announce many of these milestones today."
IBM Quantum Computers Built to Scale Advantage
IBM is unveiling IBM Quantum Nighthawk, its most advanced quantum processor yet and designed with an architecture to complement high-performing quantum software to deliver quantum advantage next year: the point at which a quantum computer can solve a problem better than all classical-only methods.
IBM Nighthawk is expected to be delivered to IBM users by the end of 2025, and will offer:
- 120 qubits linked together with 218 next-generation tunable couplers to their four nearest neighbors in a square lattice, an increase of over 20 percent more couplers compared to IBM Quantum Heron.
- This increased qubit connectivity will allow users to accurately execute circuits with 30 percent more complexity than on IBM's previous processor while maintaining low error rates.
- This architecture will enable users to explore more computationally demanding problems that require up to 5,000 two-qubit gates, the fundamental entangling operations critical for quantum computation.
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the annual Quantum Developer Conference, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled fundamental progress on its path to delivering both quantum advantage by the end of 2026 and fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2029.
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IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
"There are many pillars to bringing truly useful quantum computing to the world," said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. "We believe that IBM is the only company that is positioned to rapidly invent and scale quantum software, hardware, fabrication, and error correction to unlock transformative applications. We are thrilled to announce many of these milestones today."
IBM Quantum Computers Built to Scale Advantage
IBM is unveiling IBM Quantum Nighthawk, its most advanced quantum processor yet and designed with an architecture to complement high-performing quantum software to deliver quantum advantage next year: the point at which a quantum computer can solve a problem better than all classical-only methods.
IBM Nighthawk is expected to be delivered to IBM users by the end of 2025, and will offer:
IBM expects future iterations of Nighthawk to deliver up to 7,500 gates by the end of 2026 and then up to 10,000 gates in 2027. By 2028, Nighthawk-based systems could support up to 15,000 two-qubit gates enabled by 1,000 or more connected qubits extended through long-range couplers first demonstrated on IBM experimental processors last year.
IBM anticipates that the first cases of verified quantum advantage will be confirmed by the wider community by the end of 2026. To encourage their rigorous validation and push forward the best quantum and classical approaches, IBM, Algorithmiq, researchers at the Flatiron Institute, and BlueQubit are contributing new results to an open, community-led quantum advantage tracker to systematically monitor and verify emerging demonstrations of advantage.
Today, the community tracker supports three experiments for quantum advantage across observable estimation, variational problems, and problems with efficient classical verification. IBM encourages the community to contribute to the tracker and push a back-and-forth with the best classical methods.
"I'm proud that our team at Algorithmiq is leading one of the three projects in the new quantum advantage tracker. The model we designed explores regimes so complex that it challenges all state-of-the-art classical methods tested so far," said Sabrina Maniscalco, CEO and co-founder, Algorithmiq. "We are seeing promising experimental results, and independent simulations from researchers at the Flatiron Institute validate its classical hardness. These are only the first steps – quantum advantage will take time to verify, and the tracker will let everyone follow that journey."
"BlueQubit is proud to support IBM's efforts to track quantum advantage claims and algorithms as quantum computers are entering a regime beyond classical," said Hayk Tepanyan, CTO and co-founder, BlueQubit. "Through our work around peaked circuits, we are excited to help formalize instances where quantum computers are starting to outperform classical computers by orders of magnitude."
To pursue verified quantum advantage on breakthrough quantum hardware, developers need to be able to highly control their circuits and use high-performance classical computers (HPC) to mitigate the errors that arise in computation.
Qiskit is the world's best-performing quantum software stack, developed by IBM. It is now giving developers more control than ever before by scaling dynamic circuit capabilities that deliver a 24 percent increase in accuracy at the scale of 100+ qubits. IBM is also extending Qiskit with a new execution model that enables fine grain control and a C-API, unlocking HPC-accelerated error mitigation capabilities that decreases the cost of extracting accurate results by more than 100 times.
As quantum computers mature, the global quantum community is expanding to HPC and scientific communities. IBM is delivering a C++ interface to Qiskit, powered by a C-API, to enable users to program quantum natively in existing HPC environments. IBM continues to lead the way in advanced circuit execution capabilities including dynamic circuits and increasing control over circuit execution for error mitigation.
By 2027, IBM plans to extend Qiskit with computational libraries in areas such as machine learning and optimization to better solve fundamental physical and chemistry challenges such as differential equations and Hamiltonian simulations.
IBM Delivers Building Blocks Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing
In a parallel path, IBM is rapidly delivering milestones towards building the world's first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029.
The company is announcing IBM Quantum Loon, its experimental processor that, for the first time, shows that IBM has demonstrated all the key processor components needed for fault-tolerant quantum computing. IBM Loon will validate a new architecture to implement and scale the components needed for practical, high-efficiency quantum error correction. IBM has already demonstrated the breakthrough features that will be incorporated into Loon, including the introduction of multiple high-quality, low-loss routing layers to provide pathways for longer, on-chip connections (or "c-couplers") that go beyond nearest-neighbor couplers and physically link distant qubits together on the same chip, as well as technologies to reset qubits between computations.
Delivering on another key pillar of fault-tolerant quantum computing, IBM has proven it is possible to use classical computing hardware to accurately decode errors in real-time (less than 480 nanoseconds) using qLDPC codes. This engineering feat has been achieved a full year ahead of schedule. Together with Loon, this demonstrates the cornerstones needed to scale qLDPC codes on high-speed, high-fidelity superconducting qubits which form the core of IBM quantum computers.
IBM Scales Fabrication to 300mm Facilities to Accelerate Quantum Wafer Development
As IBM scales its quantum computers, it is announcing the primary fabrication of its quantum processor wafers is being undertaken at an advanced 300mm wafer fabrication facility at the Albany NanoTech Complex in New York.
State-of-the-art semiconductor tooling and always-on capabilities within this facility have already accelerated the speed at which IBM can learn from, improve, and expand the capabilities of its quantum processors; allowing the company to increase their qubit connectivity, density, and performance. To-date, IBM has been able to:
- Double the speed of its research and development efforts by cutting the time needed to build each new processor by at least half;
- Achieve a ten-fold increase in the physical complexity of its quantum chips; and,
- Enable multiple designs to be researched and explored in parallel.
About IBM
IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.
For more information, visit https://research.ibm.com.
Media Contact:
Erin Angelini
IBM Communications
Edlehr@us.ibm.com
Chris Nay
IBM Communications
cnay@us.ibm.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance
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- Resumes services to Fukuoka, Japan from September 2026 after nearly two decades
- Expands China footprint with new direct services to Shenzhen and Changsha, commencing July 2026
- "MAG Arena" showcases Asia's Largest Airline Pavilion at MATTA Fair 2026, featuring the region's premier sports partnership activation by an airline
- Increases frequencies across ASEAN, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Europe to further strengthen global connectivity
SINGAPORE, April 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia Airlines is significantly expanding its East Asia footprint with the return of direct flights to Fukuoka, Japan, and the launch of new services to Shenzhen and Changsha, China. Commencing between July and September 2026, these additions bring the airline's China network to nine key gateways and reinforce its commitment to providing greater travel flexibility across the region.
As part of this expansion, the airline will introduce new services between Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen (SZX) and Changsha (CSX) in China, alongside the resumption of services to Fukuoka (FUK) in Japan, which the airline last operated in September 2006. With the launch of these destinations, Malaysia Airlines consolidates its presence across a total of nine strategic destinations in China, including Beijing (PKX), Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Xiamen (XMN), Hong Kong (HKG), Taipei (TPE), and Chengdu Tianfu (TFU). Ticket sales for the new services commence today, supporting the growing travel demand and strengthening connectivity between Malaysia and these high-growth regional hubs.
Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, "This expansion reflects our strategic focus on scaling our presence in key growth markets across East Asia while cementing Kuala Lumpur's position as a key strategic gateway. Both Shenzhen and Changsha align perfectly with our network strategy, driven by robust demand across both business and leisure segments. The return to Fukuoka further enhances our network depth. As the only carrier operating direct flights on this route, we are proud to offer passengers a seamless non-stop experience that eliminates the need for transit. These developments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to optimising our network and delivering a more integrated travel experience for our customers."
Beyond the East Asia expansion, Malaysia Airlines is increasing flight frequencies across key routes namely Brisbane, Australia; Manila, Philippines and Colombo, Sri Lanka to meet rising demand while supporting growing tourism and trade links. In addition, the airline will operate ad-hoc Kuala Lumpur–London flights on 18 and 22 April 2026 to accommodate passengers affected by recent Middle Eastern carrier disruptions.
As the returning Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor of MATTA Fair 2026, MAG unveiled its most ambitious presence yet with the launch of the MAG Arena, recognised by both the Asia Records and ASEAN Records as Asia's Largest Airline Trade Pavilion at a consumer travel fair.
Spanning approximately 46,000 square feet, nearly three times the scale of its participation in September last year, the expanded pavilion transforms the MATTA Fair experience into a fully immersive destination showcasing curated experiences and next-generation travel technology that brings journeys to life before travellers even board the aircraft. Visitors will be able to explore destinations, discover travel innovations and experience the warmth of Malaysian Hospitality through interactive engagements designed to inspire their next journey.
In addition, the pavilion will host Asia's largest sports partnership activation by an airline, celebrating Malaysia Airlines' collaborations with global clubs like Manchester United and national sporting icons Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and others. The dedicated sports experience zone will allow football fans and travellers to engage with legends and their favourite sports personalities — reinforcing how sport and travel connect people across borders and generations.
Through the expansion of its network and increased flight frequencies, the airline continues to strengthen Kuala Lumpur's position as a key gateway to Asia and beyond, while supporting Malaysia's tourism ambitions under Visit Malaysia 2026 and advancing its journey towards becoming one of the world's Top 10 global airlines by 2030.
-ENDS-
New Routes
| Airline | Route | Frequency | Date Open for Sale | Inaugural Flight |
| Malaysia Airlines | Kuala Lumpur – Shenzhen (SZX) | 7x weekly (Mon-Sun) | 3 April 2026 | 1 July 2026 |
| Kuala Lumpur – Changsha (CSX) | 7x weekly (Mon-Sun) | 3 April 2026 | 8 July 2026 |
| Kuala Lumpur -Fukuoka (FUK) | 5x weekly (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun) | 3 April 2026 | 2 Sept 2026 |
Malaysia Airlines' Additional Frequencies
| Region | Route | Frequency (Before Increase) | Frequency (After Increase) | Effective Date |
| Europe | KUL/London (LHR) | 14x weekly | 16x weekly | 18 & 22 Apr 2026 |
| Australia and New Zealand | KUL/Brisbane (BNE) vv | 5x weekly | 6x weekly 7x weekly | 16 Aug 2026 25 Oct 2026 |
| ASEAN | KUL/Manila (MNL) vv | 21x weekly | 28x weekly | 1 Jul 2026 |
| South Asia | KUL/Colombo (CMB) vv | 7x weekly | 8x weekly 9x weekly 10x weekly | 3 Apr 2026 3 May 2026 20 May 2026 |
About Malaysia Aviation Group
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is a global aviation organisation comprising three core business portfolios: Airline Business, Loyalty & Travel Services, and Aviation Services.
The Airline Business portfolio serves global, domestic, and segmented markets through Malaysia Airlines – the national carrier; Firefly – the regional airline focused on connecting communities across Malaysia and ASEAN; and Amal by Malaysia Airlines – the leading one-stop pilgrimage travel solutions centre.
The Aviation Services portfolio offers a full suite of capabilities, comprising MAB Engineering, the maintenance, repair and overhaul services provider; MASkargo, the cargo and logistics solutions provider; AeroDarat Services, the ground handling services provider; MAG Culinary Solutions, overseeing all F&B-related strategies, operations and services across MAG; and MAB Academy, the centre of excellence for aviation and hospitality training.
The Loyalty & Travel Services portfolio delivers end-to-end travel solutions and loyalty programmes, strengthening MAG's core expertise in airline and aviation services. It includes Journify – an integrated digital platform offering travel and lifestyle experiences; Enrich – Malaysia Airlines' award-winning travel and lifestyle loyalty programme; and MHholidays – the Group's dedicated flight and hotel package platform.
With its clear business portfolios, MAG is committed to realising its vision of becoming Asia's Leading Travel and Aviation Services Group by delivering exceptional customer experiences, nurturing a culture that empowers its people, and ensuring sustainable, profitable growth.
For more information, visit www.malaysiaaviationgroup.com.my
Issued by Group Communications, Malaysia Aviation Group.
- Resumes services to Fukuoka, Japan from September 2026 after nearly two decades
- Expands China footprint with new direct services to Shenzhen and Changsha, commencing July 2026
- "MAG Arena" showcases Asia's Largest Airline Pavilion at MATTA Fair 2026, featuring the region's premier sports partnership activation by an airline
- Increases frequencies across ASEAN, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Europe to further strengthen global connectivity
SINGAPORE, April 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia Airlines is significantly expanding its East Asia footprint with the return of direct flights to Fukuoka, Japan, and the launch of new services to Shenzhen and Changsha, China. Commencing between July and September 2026, these additions bring the airline's China network to nine key gateways and reinforce its commitment to providing greater travel flexibility across the region.
As part of this expansion, the airline will introduce new services between Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen (SZX) and Changsha (CSX) in China, alongside the resumption of services to Fukuoka (FUK) in Japan, which the airline last operated in September 2006. With the launch of these destinations, Malaysia Airlines consolidates its presence across a total of nine strategic destinations in China, including Beijing (PKX), Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Xiamen (XMN), Hong Kong (HKG), Taipei (TPE), and Chengdu Tianfu (TFU). Ticket sales for the new services commence today, supporting the growing travel demand and strengthening connectivity between Malaysia and these high-growth regional hubs.
Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, "This expansion reflects our strategic focus on scaling our presence in key growth markets across East Asia while cementing Kuala Lumpur's position as a key strategic gateway. Both Shenzhen and Changsha align perfectly with our network strategy, driven by robust demand across both business and leisure segments. The return to Fukuoka further enhances our network depth. As the only carrier operating direct flights on this route, we are proud to offer passengers a seamless non-stop experience that eliminates the need for transit. These developments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to optimising our network and delivering a more integrated travel experience for our customers."
Beyond the East Asia expansion, Malaysia Airlines is increasing flight frequencies across key routes namely Brisbane, Australia; Manila, Philippines and Colombo, Sri Lanka to meet rising demand while supporting growing tourism and trade links. In addition, the airline will operate ad-hoc Kuala Lumpur–London flights on 18 and 22 April 2026 to accommodate passengers affected by recent Middle Eastern carrier disruptions.
As the returning Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor of MATTA Fair 2026, MAG unveiled its most ambitious presence yet with the launch of the MAG Arena, recognised by both the Asia Records and ASEAN Records as Asia's Largest Airline Trade Pavilion at a consumer travel fair.
Spanning approximately 46,000 square feet, nearly three times the scale of its participation in September last year, the expanded pavilion transforms the MATTA Fair experience into a fully immersive destination showcasing curated experiences and next-generation travel technology that brings journeys to life before travellers even board the aircraft. Visitors will be able to explore destinations, discover travel innovations and experience the warmth of Malaysian Hospitality through interactive engagements designed to inspire their next journey.
In addition, the pavilion will host Asia's largest sports partnership activation by an airline, celebrating Malaysia Airlines' collaborations with global clubs like Manchester United and national sporting icons Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and others. The dedicated sports experience zone will allow football fans and travellers to engage with legends and their favourite sports personalities — reinforcing how sport and travel connect people across borders and generations.
Through the expansion of its network and increased flight frequencies, the airline continues to strengthen Kuala Lumpur's position as a key gateway to Asia and beyond, while supporting Malaysia's tourism ambitions under Visit Malaysia 2026 and advancing its journey towards becoming one of the world's Top 10 global airlines by 2030.
-ENDS-
New Routes
Airline
Route
Frequency
Date Open for Sale
Inaugural Flight
Malaysia Airlines
Kuala Lumpur –
Shenzhen (SZX)
7x weekly
(Mon-Sun)
3 April 2026
1 July 2026
Kuala Lumpur –
Changsha (CSX)
7x weekly
(Mon-Sun)
3 April 2026
8 July 2026
Kuala Lumpur -Fukuoka (FUK)
5x weekly
(Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)
3 April 2026
2 Sept 2026
Malaysia Airlines' Additional Frequencies
| Region | Route | Frequency (Before Increase) | Frequency (After Increase) | Effective Date |
| Europe | KUL/London (LHR) | 14x weekly | 16x weekly | 18 & 22 Apr 2026 |
| Australia and New Zealand | KUL/Brisbane (BNE) vv | 5x weekly | 6x weekly 7x weekly | 16 Aug 2026 25 Oct 2026 |
| ASEAN | KUL/Manila (MNL) vv | 21x weekly | 28x weekly | 1 Jul 2026 |
| South Asia | KUL/Colombo (CMB) vv | 7x weekly | 8x weekly 9x weekly 10x weekly | 3 Apr 2026 3 May 2026 20 May 2026 |
Region
Route
Frequency
(Before Increase)
Frequency
(After Increase)
Effective Date
Europe
KUL/London (LHR)
14x weekly
16x weekly
18 & 22 Apr 2026
Australia and New Zealand
KUL/Brisbane (BNE) vv
5x weekly
6x weekly 7x weekly
16 Aug 2026
25 Oct 2026
ASEAN
KUL/Manila
(MNL) vv
21x weekly
28x weekly
1 Jul 2026
South Asia
KUL/Colombo (CMB) vv
7x weekly
8x weekly
9x weekly 10x weekly
3 Apr 2026
3 May 2026
20 May 2026
About Malaysia Aviation Group
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is a global aviation organisation comprising three core business portfolios: Airline Business, Loyalty & Travel Services, and Aviation Services.
The Airline Business portfolio serves global, domestic, and segmented markets through Malaysia Airlines – the national carrier; Firefly – the regional airline focused on connecting communities across Malaysia and ASEAN; and Amal by Malaysia Airlines – the leading one-stop pilgrimage travel solutions centre.
The Aviation Services portfolio offers a full suite of capabilities, comprising MAB Engineering, the maintenance, repair and overhaul services provider; MASkargo, the cargo and logistics solutions provider; AeroDarat Services, the ground handling services provider; MAG Culinary Solutions, overseeing all F&B-related strategies, operations and services across MAG; and MAB Academy, the centre of excellence for aviation and hospitality training.
The Loyalty & Travel Services portfolio delivers end-to-end travel solutions and loyalty programmes, strengthening MAG's core expertise in airline and aviation services. It includes Journify – an integrated digital platform offering travel and lifestyle experiences; Enrich – Malaysia Airlines' award-winning travel and lifestyle loyalty programme; and MHholidays – the Group's dedicated flight and hotel package platform.
With its clear business portfolios, MAG is committed to realising its vision of becoming Asia's Leading Travel and Aviation Services Group by delivering exceptional customer experiences, nurturing a culture that empowers its people, and ensuring sustainable, profitable growth.
For more information, visit www.malaysiaaviationgroup.com.my
Issued by Group Communications, Malaysia Aviation Group.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Malaysia Airlines Strengthens East Asia Network with Return to Fukuoka, Launch of New Routes and Increased Frequencies Across Key Markets