Expanded Kota Bharu Airport Handles Over 562,000 Passengers In January-April -- MAHB

PUTRAJAYA, May 25 (Bernama) -- The newly expanded Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) in Kota Bharu handled 562,081 passenger movements between January and April this year, reflecting a 3.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

In a statement today, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said KBR recorded 131,099 passenger movements in April alone, underscoring the successful expansion and operational launch of the airport as part of efforts to strengthen connectivity and passenger traffic in the East Coast region.

“International passenger movements also continued to build steadily, reaching 4,562 passengers during the first four months of 2026,” it said. 

It said monthly international traffic rose to 1,381 passengers in April, compared with 873 in January.

KBR currently serves an international route to Singapore via Scoot, while a second international connection to Jakarta is scheduled to commence in June through AirAsia, it said.

MAHB said the airport expansion had significantly increased KBR’s capacity, enabling it to accommodate more passengers comfortably while providing a smoother travel experience.

“With upgraded facilities and higher passenger handling capability, KBR is now better positioned to support future traffic growth and regional connectivity,” it said.

MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the continued growth of the airport network reflected the strength of the company’s long-term strategy, driven by key infrastructure developments, including the KBR expansion.

“These efforts support our commitment to building a more connected, resilient, and competitive airport network that contributes to national growth, tourism, trade, and connectivity,” he said.

Meanwhile, MAHB said the local airport network recorded 8.1 million passenger movements in April, bringing the year-to-date total to 35.5 million, a 7.4 per cent increase from the corresponding period last year.

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) handled 5.2 million passenger movements in April and 22.1 million during the first four months of the year, representing a 10.9 per cent year-on-year increase, it said.

However, it said that compared to March, the local airport network recorded a 10.6 per cent decline in passenger movements in April, while KLIA saw a 7.2 per cent month-on-month decrease.

MAHB said the decline was largely anticipated following exceptionally high travel demand during the Hari Raya festive period in March, as well as operational adjustments by several airlines amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East. 

-- BERNAMA