PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd
(MAHB) recorded 9.9 million passenger movement in May 2023, surpassing December 2022’s peak of 9.5 million passengers that was the highest since the pandemic outbreak in March 2020.
MAHB said in a statement traffic recovery reached more than 90% for the first time against May 2019 at 93.1%.
“Both the international and domestic sectors for the network of airports were equally resilient with an almost balanced proportion of traffic from both sectors with 46:54 ratio, recording the highest passenger movement with 4.6 million and 5.4 million passengers, respectively.”
MAHB said passenger movement in Malaysia continued to make progress, recording a new high with 6.8 million passengers in May 2023, slightly higher than December 2022.
“The international sector gathered momentum, moving closer to three million passenger movement at 2.98 million, with significant increase from Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and China.
“Xiamen Air expanded its network by commencing direct international flight from Chongqing to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), marking an important milestone to boost traffic between China and Malaysia with four weekly flight frequencies.”
The airport operator added that AirAsia expanded its network from KLIA to Kertajati with twice weekly frequencies, the only carrier operating the route.
“AirAsia X commenced new service to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi with five weekly frequencies and Batik Air Malaysia launched new daily flights operating to Maldives.
“The domestic sector was equally remarkable, recording the highest passenger movement for the year.
“This was driven by the two-week school break, multiple public holidays that continued to early May following the Raya festive season, Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition and the movement of Haj pilgrims.”
MAHB said the growth of domestic passenger movement was also supported by Firefly jet operations with daily flights to Sandakan, Tawau, and Miri from Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Penang.
“Passenger movement in May 2023 for Istanbul SGIA were remarkable, reaching more than three million passengers, a mark that was registered generally during the peak summer season in year 2022 and 2019, partly driven by the international sector.
“It is encouraging to note that the international sector reached a significant milestone, registering more than 1.5 million in May 2023, a mark that was recorded during the peak summer season in year 2022 and the highest passenger movement recorded for the airport.”
Additionally, MAHB said international connectivity continued to grow for the airports with Anadolu jet commencing daily flights to Rome, as well as Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca with four weekly frequencies in May 2023.
