MAHB senior general manager Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin
LANGKAWI: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd
(MAHB) is expecting more airlines, including new airlines from North Asia and Europe, to tap into the Malaysian aviation industry market between the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q 2024) and the first quarter of next year (1Q 2025).
Its senior general manager Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin said some of the airlines showing interest were either new airlines or existing airlines looking to start new routes to Malaysia.
"We are also in talks with them on operating in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi, so, quite a lot of them have shown interest also in either starting the routes again or coming into the new destination, ” he told the media at Routes Asia 2024 today.
Megat said it all depends on the negotiations with those airlines around the incentives and proposals offered by MAHB.
"Typically, on the airport side, we assist with operational costs, provide a little bit of landing fee waiver, and help with marketing expenditure for promoting the destination,” he said.
He said MAHB works closely with Tourism Malaysia to put some proposals forward for marketing expenditure and coordinate with its ground handlers to explore possible incentives, such as volume discounts.
When asked about the targeted airlines, he said the airport operator is looking at close to 70 to 80 airlines.
In terms of Visit Malaysia 2026 preparation, he said among initiatives being undertaken are the replacement of the Aerotrain and the baggage handling system upgrade.
"We have new brands coming in, besides existing retail outlets such as Jamie Oliver, Taco Bell and Kitchen by Open House, and (all initiatives) will be ramped up towards 2026,” he added. - Bernama
