Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government for its trust in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), reinforcing the robust partnership in managing Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISGA). He reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to working closely with local authorities, construction firms, and management teams to ensure the partnership’s ongoing success.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MAHB maintains a full stake in ISGA through its Turkish unit Istanbul Sabiha G¶k§en Uluslararasi Havalimani Yatirim Yapim ve Isletme AS. During a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Anwar highlighted the exceptional trust placed in MAHB by the Turkish government, emphasizing Malaysia’s dedication to the collaboration.
Erdogan, on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, is eager to enhance ties through increased cooperation in the aviation sector. Anwar acknowledged Turkey’s remarkable growth in airline and airport management, citing it as an exemplary model globally. He noted the significant transformation of Turkish Airlines into a leading global airline under Erdogan’s leadership.
The partnership between Malaysia and Turkiye extends beyond aviation, encompassing sectors such as energy, the halal industry, health, digital sectors, and disaster management. Erdogan emphasized the desire to welcome more Malaysians to Turkiye and highlighted the critical role of airlines in fostering human connections.
MAHB, part of a consortium, secured a £1.93 billion (RM8.9 billion) contract in 2008 to build and manage ISGA until 2032. The airport operator plans additional investments in Turkiye to enhance terminal capacity as part of the concession extension. In a bilateral meeting in September 2023, Erdogan agreed that MAHB should continue its successful operation of ISGA.
In 2024, Turkiye emerged as Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner and largest export destination among West Asian countries. Total trade between the two nations reached RM24.13 billion (US$5.28 billion) in 2024, marking an 18.7 percent increase from 2023.