KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd
(MAHB) is focusing on attracting more airlines and expanding airport capacity to support future traffic growth and generate wider economic benefits, said managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani.
He said that, in terms of growth, the company has to make sure that it continues to expand by bringing more airlines to the country.
"We have to create that opportunity in terms of tourism and economic activities, so that the benefits of those are to Malaysians,” he said in an interview with Bernama Mobile Studio in conjunction with Transport Expo Asia 2026 (TXA 2026).
Mohd Izani said expansion works at Penang airport would continue until 2028, while Kota Kinabalu airport’s capacity would increase to 12 million passengers from nine million by the same year.
"In terms of capacity, we continue to grow the airport, not when it is already congested. We plan ahead so that when the day comes, we are ready.
"So, I think all that is being worked on now, and I am glad that we are quite prepared for all those pillars, and we continue to make sure that we fully implement the plans for the future,” he added.
Passenger experience, technology use for efficiency
On passenger experience, he said cooperation among Customs, Immigration, police, airlines and ground handlers was essential to ensuring a seamless journey through the airports.
"My call is actually for everyone to work together so that for customers, it is a seamless journey right from kerbside to the plane.
"And that is our mantra, make sure that we serve our customers the best as we can,” he said.
At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Mohd Izani said MAHB continued to improve services and facilities and introduce more technology to meet passengers’ expectations.
"For KLIA, we continue to improve the services and facilities and introduce more technology because, to us, efficiency is important.
"And for the customers, especially the young, the current customers, they want to have a smooth journey right from kerbside to boarding the plane,” he said.
He said MAHB also uses artificial intelligence to anticipate peak passenger arrivals and shares data with Customs and Immigration to help the agencies prepare their operations.
"So, again, collaboration needs to happen to make sure that we make best use of the data that we have.
"So that by the time passengers arrive, they have a smoother clearance at Immigration, at Customs,” he said.
Expanding airport to attract more tourists
He said MAHB was also expanding Tawau Airport, which serves tourists travelling to Sipadan Island, including visitors from China.
"Tawau, as people know, is the gateway to Sipadan Island. People go to Tawau Airport before travelling to Sipadan Island.
"And we have a lot of tourists coming from this region, especially China, to dive and snorkel in Sipadan,” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding Kota Bharu, Mohd Izani said the airport’s expanded passenger-handling capacity to four million, up from 1.5 million previously, provides room for further growth, with Jakarta and Singapore services seeing stronger passenger response.
"Recently, there is a direct flight from Kota Bharu to Jakarta run by AirAsia, and I was told there is a good response from the passengers.
"Also, there is a flight from Singapore as well. And it is good, Kota Bharu-Singapore. Also, good load, I was told,” he said.
He said MAHB was working with airlines and the state authorities to develop connectivity between Kota Bharu and Bangkok.
"What I am working on with airlines, together with the state authority, is to try to bring passengers from Kota Bharu to Bangkok.
"So, we want to do a lot more international traffic to Kota Bharu,” he said.
Mohd Izani said MAHB was also working with airlines and the state authorities to support tourism in Langkawi.
"For Langkawi as well, I think we should bring back the heyday of Langkawi. We need to do more, and we are working with airlines to bring more direct flights to Langkawi,” he said. - Bernama
