Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) is expected to meet its narrowed down passenger traffic forecast of between 95.4 million and 97.6 million passengers this year supported by the continued robust recovery of the Malaysian aviation sector in the first six months of 2024 (1H2024).
The previous passenger traffic projection range was 93.9 million and 107.1 million passengers.
According to its 15th bi-annual Waypoint report released by MAVCOM, Malaysia’s total air passenger traffic reached 46.6 million, representing a year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of 15.3 per cent in 1H 2024 driven by international air passenger traffic.
During the period, international air passenger traffic surged by 35.9 per cent y-o-y to 24.0 million passengers, while domestic traffic decreased slightly by 0.7 per cent y-o-y to 22.6 million passengers.
Executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said the growth in Malaysia’s aviation sector in the first half of 2024, especially the rise of 35.9 per cent y-o-y in international air passenger traffic, indicates the robustness of the sector.
"Strategic tourism initiatives such as visa-free travel for visitors from India and China will continue to boost international air traffic and tourism.
"The sector has reached 72.3 million passengers by September 2024, a significant milestone demonstrating the effectiveness of efforts to restore international routes and boost travel demand,” he said in a statement today.
He added that while approaching the second half of the year, MAVCOM will continue working closely with industry players to enhance Malaysia’s position as a key aviation hub within ASEAN.
"However, we remain cautious about external factors, including fluctuating fuel prices and global supply chain challenges, which could impact the industry’s ongoing recovery. Despite these challenges, we are confident in the sector’s ability to maintain its growth trajectory,” he said.
The air cargo sector has also demonstrated significant growth, with cargo volume measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) increasing by 14.3 per cent y-o-y to 5.2 billion FTK in the second quarter of 2024 (2Q 2024).
Therefor, MAVCOM has revised its air cargo traffic forecast for 2024 upwards, now projecting growth of between 10.0 per cent and 12.5 per cent y-o-y, translating to between 20.8 billion and 21.2 billion FTK.
The report also highlights that KL International Airport improved its air connectivity ranking in ASEAN from fourth place in 2022 to third place in 1H 2024, with its connectivity score rising from 47.5 in 2022 to 64.7 in 1H 2024.
"Malaysia also maintained its position as the fifth most connected country in ASEAN, with an overall connectivity score of 84.0 in the first half of 2024. These gains underscore the aviation sector’s ongoing recovery, particularly in the international segment,” it said.
During the first half of 2024, MAVCOM granted a total of 156 additional air traffic rights (ATRs), with 20 allocated for domestic routes and 136 for international destinations.
For more information on the Waypoint report visit MAVCOM’s website at http://www.mavcom.my. - Bernama
