MAHB Optimistic On Outlook, Urges Greater Aviation-tourism Collaboration To Boost Passenger Traffic
From Kisho Kumari Sucedaram
BANGKOK, May 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which remains optimistic on its outlook this year despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, has called for greater cooperation across the aviation and tourism ecosystem to increase passenger traffic and support Malaysia’s aviation ambitions.
Its managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said airport operators, airlines, regulators and tourism-related agencies coming together and pulling in the same direction will be crucial in sustaining industry resilience and ensuring the success of the Visit Malaysia 2026 premier national tourism campaign amid current global challenges.
Mohd Izani said close cooperation among stakeholders has become increasingly important as the nation celebrates Visit Malaysia 2026, particularly in ensuring seamless travel experience, stable airline operations and stronger international connectivity.
“We remain positive (and) despite the crisis, Visit Malaysia 2026 itself is already a free promotion for us,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition here.
He reiterated that all parties have to work together, whereby airlines also have to play their role, not just promoting airlines but Malaysia as well.
He said MAHB currently chairs a quarterly working group involving multiple agencies and stakeholders to coordinate preparations and resolve operational issues related to Visit Malaysia 2026.
Among the agencies involved are the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Ministry of Transport (MOT), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Immigration Department and airlines.
“In the meetings, we discuss how to promote Malaysia and resolve issues together. It works quite well,” he said.
Mohd Izani said one of the key achievements resulting from the collaboration was the removal of certain customs inspection bottlenecks at immigration checkpoints, which helped improve passenger flow at KL International Airport (KLIA).
He added that the authorities had agreed to implement Green Lane initiatives to facilitate smoother arrival processes for travellers.
“Initially there was some resistance, but in the end you get the power of collaboration,” he said.
At the same time, MAHB is working on an airside transfer system connecting T1 and T2, allowing transit passengers to move between terminals without having to clear immigration and customs repeatedly.
Mohd Izani reiterated the initiative involves close coordination with multiple stakeholders, including the Immigration Department, Customs Department, airlines and ground handlers.
“We promised the MOT that we will get it done by the end of the year,” he said.
He added that part of the project could be financed through the Airport Development Fund (ADF), which supports airport efficiency-related improvements across the country.
Impact of West Asia
Mohd Izani acknowledged that the ongoing West Asia conflict affected passenger movements through Malaysian airports, particularly in March and April.
“In terms of passenger traffic, we experienced a dip for March and April, that is unavoidable. Everybody faced the same impact,” he said.
He estimated that some affected passenger segments recorded around a 50 per cent decline during the period compared with earlier projections.
However, he said there were already signs of recovery as airspace restrictions ease and airlines gradually resume services, although frequencies have yet to fully return to previous levels.
“For the past few weeks, we can see airlines coming back already,” he said.
At the same time, MAHB sees opportunities arising from changing travel patterns, particularly as some passengers shift away from Middle Eastern transit routes and opt for destinations within Asia instead.
“People may not go to the Middle East, but they are going to China, Japan and other destinations in the region and that is positive for us,” he said.
Mohd Izani said MAHB is also positioning KLIA as an alternative transit hub for passengers travelling between Asia and Europe.
He said several airlines are already reviewing connectivity options through Kuala Lumpur, including the return of German carrier Lufthansa to KLIA.
“Passengers used to transit through the Middle East to Europe or the United States. Perhaps now they can fly through Kuala Lumpur instead,” he said.
Airline growth momentum
Despite the uncertain global environment, Mohd Izani said MAHB remains optimistic about achieving its target of attracting 15 new airlines this year.
“We are still optimistic because the 15 airlines are from different parts of the world,” he said.
He added that interest from Chinese carriers continue to remain strong, with growing demand for routes into both Kuala Lumpur and secondary Malaysian cities.
According to MAHB, 22 new routes and services had been launched so far this year by both new and existing airlines, including several Chinese carriers operating into Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Bahru.
To date, six new airlines have come onboard, namely Aero Dili (KLIA), Air Algerie (KLIA), Shandong Airlines (KLIA), Chongqing Airlines (Kota Kinabalu International Airport), Chongqing Airlines (Penang International Airport (PEN)), Spring Airlines (PEN) and Juneyao Airlines (Tawau Airport).
Mohd Izani said despite current challenges, the aviation sector remains in better conditions than that experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At least now operations can continue,” he said.
MAHB currently manages 39 airports across Malaysia of varying sizes, including five international airports, as well as one airport in Istanbul, Türkiye.
-- BERNAMA