KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Malaysia Airports Group’s local airport network saw a 40 per cent year-on-year increase in international traffic in the first half of 2024 (1H 2024), fuelled by the addition of six new airlines.

In a statement today, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) named the airlines as Cambodia Airways, Flydubai, Iraqi Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Thai Lion Air and Turkmenistan Airlines.

MAHB reported that these airlines contributed to a total passenger movement of 45 million in 1H 2024, reaching 87.9 per cent of pre-pandemic levels from the same period in 2019.

"The recovery in total seat capacity reached 85 per cent in 1H 2024, amounting to 57 million seats compared to 67.3 million in 1H 2019,” it said.

Furthermore, MAHB noted that the average load factor for 1H 2024 was 78.8 per cent, surpassing the 1H2019 level by 3.4 percentage points.

"This sustained growth throughout 1H 2024 indicates robust demand, potentially prompting further expansions in seat capacity offerings,” it added.

It said the overall performance of Malaysia Airports Group’s local airports in 1H 2024 showed resilience, with total passenger movements reaching 45 million, marking a notable 15.5 per cent increase over 1H 2023 and achieving 87.9 per cent of the passenger levels seen in 1H 2019.

Meanwhile, the addition of two new airlines, Air Arabia and AJet, at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, its Turkish asset, led to surpassing pre-pandemic passenger movements with 20 million passengers recorded in 1H 2024, a 16.4 per cent increase over 1H 2023 and an 18.1 per cent increase over 1H 2019.

The group registered 65 million passenger movements in 1H 2024, representing a growth of 15.8 per cent compared to 1H 2023 and reaching 95.4 per cent of 2019 levels.

The robust traffic performance in 1H 2024 was predominantly driven by international passenger movements, buoyed by increasing air travel demand, visa exemptions for travellers from China and India, and an expanded array of airline routes.

"Total international passenger movements for the group saw 34.1 million passengers in 1H 2024, up from 26.5 million in 1H 2023, and a 5.3 per cent increase over 2019 levels.

"Domestic passenger movements were also encouraging, recording a 4.1 per cent growth over 1H 2023 with 30.9 million passengers, reaching 86.5 per cent of the 2019 levels,” the statement added.

MAHB is optimistic about maintaining this positive momentum and remains committed to enhancing passenger experiences, expanding route networks, and improving operational efficiencies to support sustainable growth. — Bernama