SEPANG – The successful expansion and operational launch of the new Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) continued to strengthen Malaysia Airports’ network in April 2026, supporting growing connectivity and passenger traffic in the East Coast region.
From January to April 2026, KBR recorded 562,081 passenger movements, reflecting a 3.9% year-on-year growth. In April alone, the airport handled 131,099 passengers. International passenger movements also continued to build steadily, reaching 4,562 passengers during the same period. Monthly international traffic increased from 873 passengers in January to 1,381 passengers in April, representing a 9.9% increase compared to March. KBR currently operates an international route to Singapore via Scoot, with a second international connection to Jakarta set to commence in June through AirAsia.
The expansion significantly increases KBR’s capacity, allowing the airport to serve more passengers comfortably while delivering a smoother travel experience. With its upgraded facilities and higher passenger handling capability, KBR is now better positioned to support future traffic growth and regional connectivity. As part of Malaysia Airports’ wider network, the new airport is expected to contribute positively to the long-term growth of the national aviation ecosystem.
Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani said, “The network’s continued growth reflects the strength of our long-term strategy, driven by key infrastructure developments such as the expansion of KBR, stronger airline connectivity, and continuous service enhancements across our airports. These efforts support our commitment to building a more connected, resilient, and competitive airport network that contributes to national growth, tourism, trade, and connectivity.”
The local airport network recorded 8.1 million passenger movements in April, bringing the year-to-date total to 35.5 million passenger movements, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period last year. KLIA handled 5.2 million passenger movements in April and 22.1 million passenger movements for the first four months of the year, representing a 10.9% year-on-year increase.
Compared to March 2026, the local network recorded a 10.6% decline in passenger movements in April, while KLIA recorded a 7.2% decrease month-on-month. This was largely anticipated following the exceptionally high travel demand during the Hari Raya festive period in March, alongside operational adjustments by several airlines amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East.