PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd
(MAHB) recorded strong growth across its local network in the first quarter of financial year 2026 (1Q26), with Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) registering 16.9 million passenger movements, a 14.4% increase compared to the same period last year.
In a statement today, MAHB said that in March alone, local airports handled 9.1 million passenger movements, of which 5.6 million travelled through KLIA, while the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period from March 14 to 29 saw more than 3.1 million passengers passing through the airport.
MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the continued growth across the network demonstrates the increasing relevance of Malaysia’s airports as regional gateways.
“Our priority is to match this momentum with the right capacity, seamless operations and targeted improvements on the ground, ensuring we remain competitive while unlocking further growth opportunities for Malaysia,” he said.
Furthermore, MAHB said during the same month, Penang International Airport saw an 11% rise in international passenger numbers, moving from 371,601 in February to 412,958.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu International Airport recorded a 2% increase in domestic passenger numbers, rising from 541,248 in February to 551,049.
It said this contributed to a total of 27.4 million passenger movements across the local network in 1Q.
“MAHB’s wholly owned international subsidiary, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, recorded 11.7 million passengers in the 1Q26, representing a 12% increase compared to the corresponding period last year,” it further added. — Bernama
