Passenger count increase in Malaysian airports

By S. Laveenya

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18: Domestic passenger traffic at Malaysia Airports increased by 74% in September compared to the previous month, following the success of the Langkawi tourist bubble and the National Recovery Plan’s development (PPN).

In a statement today, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said that the increase resulted in a 55% increase in overall passenger movements for Malaysia in September to 458,000 persons, with 362,000 domestic passengers and the remaining 96,000 foreign passengers.

“Domestic aircraft movements climbed by nearly 20% last month, with more over 10,000 flights recorded compared to August.”

“MAHB is certain that this promising travel trend will continue with the lifting of the ban,” it said.

According to MAHB, the Langkawi tourist bubble registered about 37,000 passenger movements to the group during its inaugural deployment between September 16 and 29.

“Local airlines profited as well, with AirAsia registering the highest movements comprising 176 flights and capturing an average seat factor of 64% during the same time.

“This increasing trend is being driven by the removal of interstate travel restrictions beginning this month for all locations countrywide except those currently subject to the Tightened Movement Control Order (PKPD),” it added.