Malaysia Airports Group Sees 153.3 Million Passengers, Signaling Strong 2026 Travel

The Malaysia Airports Group (MAHB) reported strong passenger movements in 2025. The group's global airport network handled 153.3 million passengers. This performance signals positive travel momentum for the region. The growth comes just as the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign begins.

Domestic and International Growth

MAHB’s network includes 39 airports within Malaysia. These domestic airports handled 104.4 million passengers in 2025. This marked an 11.2 percent increase year-on-year.

KL International Airport (KLIA), Malaysia’s major gateway, was a key driver. KLIA recorded a full-year total of 63.3 million passengers. This represents a 10.8 percent annual increase.

Beyond Malaysia, MAHB's international asset also saw significant growth. The Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISG) in Türkiye handled 49.0 million passengers. This was a substantial 17.5 percent increase over the previous year.

Operational Performance and Capacity

December 2025 proved to be the busiest operational month of the year. Airports nationwide processed 10 million passengers that month. This was a 15.5 percent increase compared to December 2024.

A significant festive peak occurred between Christmas and New Year. Over a single three-day stretch, more than 1 million passengers were processed. Despite this intense volume, operations remained stable across the network. This reflects effective operational planning by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

Network Expansion and Connectivity

The strong 2025 passenger growth was supported by continued network expansion. New airline partners and destinations were added across the Malaysia Airports Group network. This includes new services like Xiamen Airlines’ Hangzhou–Kuala Lumpur route.

Regional airlines like Batik Air Malaysia also introduced new routes. This effort aims to position Malaysia as the best-connected country in Southeast Asia. The goal is to enhance Southeast Asia connectivity for both tourism and business travel.

Impact on Visit Malaysia 2026

The positive KL International Airport traffic momentum is critical for the upcoming VM2026 campaign. The national tourism campaign targets 35.6 million international arrivals by 2026. This is expected to generate RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts.

Major carriers like Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, and AirAsia are supporting the effort. The VM2026 logo is featured on their aircraft livery. This collaboration highlights the aviation sector's role in national economic goals.

Industry data from OAG Aviation also shows KLIA's rising profile. As of September 2025, KL International Airport (KLIA) was ranked the second-busiest airport in Southeast Asia. This ranking underscores the growing regional importance of the Malaysian hub.

As travel demand rises, MAHB remains focused on capacity readiness. The group is strengthening service resilience and advancing partnership-led growth. This proactive approach is vital to prevent bottlenecks during peak periods. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses that capacity must match demand. This ensures a seamless experience for all passengers.

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