RHB Research anticipates air passenger numbers for Malaysia to shoot up by 20% this year to 113 million.
PETALING JAYA: Ahead of the “imminent” privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd
(MAHB), an investment bank expects 2025 to be another year of growth for Malaysia’s air passenger movements.
MAHB operates 39 airports in Malaysia, making it the biggest beneficiary of a rise in air passengers.
In a note, RHB Research anticipates air passenger numbers for Malaysia to shoot up by 20% this year to 113 million, exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 105.3 million people.
This would be achieved by various initiatives such as the continued visa-free policy for travellers from China, e-Gate access for swift immigration processing, and capacity expansion of the Subang, Penang and Kota Kinabalu airports.
Commencement of new airlines should also positively contribute to the passenger throughput. More than 13 new airlines commenced services last year, on top of new services by existing airlines.
As for the seaports, RHB Research said congestion in the region has alleviated, as shippers have now adapted to longer routes amidst the ongoing attacks from Houthi rebels.
After two years of severe drought, the Panama Canal is seeing a trade rebound, partly contributed by the new early booking system which allows the canal operator to better forecast transit demand.
The research house’s top pick for the sector is Tasco Bhd due to its prospects on the back of an improved freight forwarding segment, volume recovery and contribution from new warehouses.
