MAHB Records 51 Mln Passenger Movements In 1H 2026, Driven By Strong International Travel Demand
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) recorded 51 million passenger movements across its Malaysian airports in the first half of 2026 (1H 2026), up 1.8 per cent from a year earlier.
In a statement, MAHB said the passenger movements were driven by strong international travel demand despite weaker domestic traffic as airlines adjusted capacity to changing market conditions.
It handled 7.6 million passengers in June, comprising 4.1 million international and 3.5 million domestic passengers. Passenger traffic moderated compared to May, reflecting a continuation of broader market trends observed throughout the second quarter as airlines responded to elevated fuel prices, geopolitical uncertainty and changing travel demand by optimising their networks and capacity deployment.
MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the performance in June reflected a more cautious operating environment across the aviation industry, as airlines continued to adjust their capacity in response to changing market conditions.
“While this moderated domestic passenger traffic, we remain focused on strengthening connectivity and supporting our airline partners to capture future growth opportunities,” he said.
According to MAHB, domestic passenger movements fell 4.4 per cent in 1H 2026 as airlines adjusted capacity amid higher operating costs and weaker demand, with the sharpest decline recorded in Sabah at 7.1 per cent, while Penang, Langkawi and several secondary airports also saw lower traffic year-on-year.
International passenger traffic grew 7.7 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) during 1H 2026 to 27.8 million passengers, supported by healthy demand from key markets including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Australia, Vietnam and Europe.
“At Kuala Lumpur International Airport, international passenger movements rose 7.8 per cent y-o-y to 23.4 million passengers, while total passenger movements increased 5.4 per cent y-o-y to 31.7 million,” it said.
MAHB said it continued to improve its connectivity during June with the introduction of eight new services.
These included Wings Air's inaugural Pekanbaru–Melaka route, AirAsia's Kota Bharu–Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur-Kansai, China Eastern Airlines' Dalian–Kuala Lumpur service via Nanjing, Lion Air's Kuala Lumpur–Lombok and Banjarmasin-Kuala Lumpur and Batik Air Shanghai and Padang to Kuala Lumpur.
“Across the MAHB Group, including Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISG), passenger movements reached 74.8 million during 1H 2026, representing a 3.2 per cent increase over the same period last year.
“ISG contributed 23.8 million passengers, supported by continued international demand and network growth,” said MAHB.
-- BERNAMA