Kuala lumpur: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which remains optimistic on its outlook this year despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, has called for greater cooperation across the aviation and tourism ecosystem to increase passenger traffic and support Malaysia's aviation ambitions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MAHB's managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani emphasized the importance of collaboration among airport operators, airlines, regulators, and tourism-related agencies to ensure the success of the Visit Malaysia 2026 premier national tourism campaign amid current global challenges. He noted that close cooperation is critical for a seamless travel experience, stable airline operations, and stronger international connectivity.
Mohd Izani highlighted that the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign offers a promotional advantage, and he called on all stakeholders to work together, emphasizing that airlines should promote both themselves and Malaysia. MAHB chairs a quarterly working group with multiple agencies and stakeholders to address operational issues related to the campaign, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Ministry of Transport (MOT), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Immigration Department, and airlines.
One accomplishment from this collaboration is the removal of customs inspection bottlenecks at immigration checkpoints, improving passenger flow at KL International Airport (KLIA). Authorities have agreed to implement Green Lane initiatives for smoother traveler arrivals. MAHB is also developing an airside transfer system connecting T1 and T2, allowing transit passengers to move between terminals without repeated immigration and customs checks.
Mohd Izani acknowledged the impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict on passenger traffic, with a decline in March and April. However, there are signs of recovery as airspace restrictions ease and airlines resume services. He noted opportunities from changing travel patterns, with passengers shifting from Middle Eastern transit routes to Asian destinations, positioning KLIA as an alternative transit hub.
Despite global uncertainties, MAHB remains optimistic about attracting 15 new airlines this year, with significant interest from Chinese carriers. To date, 22 new routes and services have been launched, and six new airlines have joined, including Aero Dili, Air Algerie, and Shandong Airlines, among others.
Mohd Izani remarked that despite current challenges, the aviation sector is in better condition than during the COVID-19 pandemic, with operations continuing. MAHB manages 39 airports across Malaysia, including five international airports and one in Istanbul, Trkiye.