Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) is poised for continued growth in air travel, having surpassed pre-pandemic levels with 73 airlines operating in Malaysia—up from 69 in 2019.
With nearly 90% of its airline capacity restored compared to 2019, the company is strategically positioning itself for future expansion, according to Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin, senior general manager of strategy at Malaysia Airports.
Recent achievements include the launch of Air India’s daily flights from New Delhi (DEL) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and British Airways’ upcoming daily service to KUL from London Heathrow, which was originally due to start in November but will now commence in April 2025.
Connectivity with China continues to grow, with 16 airlines now operating between Malaysia and China, covering 29 destinations—up from 12 airlines and 27 destinations before the pandemic. The Malaysian government's visa-free entry policy for travelers from China and India will further boost this upward trajectory, particularly in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Aminuddin says.
Looking ahead, he adds that MAHB is targeting underserved markets in Europe, North America and Africa to expand its network through direct and indirect routes. The strategy involves collaborating with government and tourism agencies to attract more airlines and facilitate operations to multiple destinations across Malaysia.
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