BANGKOK:
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.
Its
managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said airport operators, airlines,
regulators and tourism-related agencies coming together and pulling in the same
direction will be crucial in sustaining industry resilience and ensuring the
success of the Visit Malaysia 2026 premier national tourism campaign amid
current global challenges.
Mohd
Izani said close cooperation among stakeholders has become increasingly
important as the nation celebrates Visit Malaysia 2026, particularly in
ensuring seamless travel experience, stable airline operations and stronger
international connectivity.
"We
remain positive (and) despite the crisis, Visit Malaysia 2026 itself is already
a free promotion for us," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Airports
Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly,
Conference and Exhibition here.
He
reiterated that all parties have to work together, whereby airlines also have
to play their role, not just promoting airlines but Malaysia as well.
He said MAHB currently chairs a quarterly working group involving
multiple agencies and stakeholders to coordinate preparations and resolve
operational issues related to Visit Malaysia 2026.
Among the agencies involved are 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.
"In the meetings, we discuss how to promote Malaysia and
resolve issues together. It works quite well," he said.
Mohd Izani said one of the key achievements resulting from the
collaboration was the removal of certain customs inspection bottlenecks at
immigration checkpoints, which helped improve passenger flow at KL
International Airport (KLIA).
He added that the authorities had agreed to implement Green Lane
initiatives to facilitate smoother arrival processes for travellers.
"Initially there was some resistance, but in the end you get
the power of collaboration," he said.
At the same time, MAHB is working on an airside transfer system
connecting T1 and T2, allowing transit passengers to move between terminals
without having to clear immigration and customs repeatedly.
Mohd Izani reiterated the initiative involves close coordination
with multiple stakeholders, including the Immigration Department, Customs
Department, airlines and ground handlers.
"We promised the MOT that we will get it done by the end of the
year," he said.
He added that part of the project could be financed through the
Airport Development Fund (ADF), which supports airport efficiency-related
improvements across the country.
Impact of West Asia
Mohd Izani acknowledged that the ongoing West Asia conflict affected
passenger movements through Malaysian airports, particularly in March and
April.
"In terms of passenger traffic, we experienced a dip for March
and April, that is unavoidable. Everybody faced the same impact," he said.
He estimated that some affected passenger segments recorded around a
50 per cent decline during the period compared with earlier projections.
However, he said there were already signs of recovery as airspace
restrictions ease and airlines gradually resume services, although frequencies
have yet to fully return to previous levels.
"For the past few weeks, we can see airlines coming back
already," he said.
At the same time, MAHB sees opportunities arising from changing
travel patterns, particularly as some passengers shift away from Middle Eastern
transit routes and opt for destinations within Asia instead.
"People may not go to the Middle East, but they are going to
China, Japan and other destinations in the region and that is positive for
us," he said.
Mohd Izani said MAHB is also positioning KLIA as an alternative
transit hub for passengers travelling between Asia and Europe.
He said several airlines are already reviewing connectivity options
through Kuala Lumpur, including the return of German carrier Lufthansa to KLIA.
"Passengers used to transit through the Middle East to Europe
or the United States. Perhaps now they can fly through Kuala Lumpur
instead," he said.
Airline growth momentum
Despite the uncertain global environment, Mohd Izani said MAHB
remains optimistic about achieving its target of attracting 15 new airlines
this year.
"We are still optimistic because the 15 airlines are from
different parts of the world," he said.
He added that interest from Chinese carriers continue to remain
strong, with growing demand for routes into both Kuala Lumpur and secondary
Malaysian cities.
According to MAHB, 22 new routes and services had been launched so
far this year by both new and existing airlines, including several Chinese
carriers operating into Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Bahru.
To date, six new airlines have come onboard, namely Aero Dili
(KLIA), Air Algerie (KLIA), Shandong Airlines (KLIA), Chongqing Airlines (Kota
Kinabalu International Airport), Chongqing Airlines (Penang International
Airport (PEN), Spring Airlines (PEN) and Juneyao Airlines (Tawau Airport).
Mohd Izani said despite current challenges, the aviation sector
remains in better conditions than that experienced during the COVID-19
pandemic.
"At least now operations can continue," he said.
MAHB currently manages 39 airports across Malaysia of varying sizes,
including five international airports, as well as one airport in Istanbul,
Türkiye.
-nst online.
