SEPANG – Malaysia Airports recorded 51 million passenger movements across its network of airports in Malaysia during the first half (1H) of 2026, an increase of 1.8% compared to the corresponding period last year. The growth was driven by sustained international demand, which offset softer domestic traffic as airlines continued adjusting capacity in response to evolving market conditions.

In June alone, Malaysia Airports handled 7.6 million passengers, 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.

Domestic passenger movements declined 4.4% in the first half of 2026 as airlines adjusted capacity amid elevated operating costs and softer market demand. The moderation was most evident across Sabah, where passenger movements fell 7.1%, while Penang, Langkawi and several secondary airports also registered lower traffic year-on-year.

International passenger traffic grew 7.7% year-on-year during the first half of the year to 27.8 million passengers, supported by healthy demand from key markets including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Australia, Vietnam and Europe. At KLIA, international passenger movements rose 7.8% year-on-year to 23.4 million passengers, while total passenger movements increased 5.4% year-on-year to 31.7 million. Improved utilisation of available airline capacity also saw average international load factors strengthen, reflecting continued demand despite a more challenging operating environment.

Malaysia Airports also continued expanding its connectivity during June with the introduction of eight new services. These included Wings Air's inaugural Pekanbaru–Melaka route, AirAsia's new service 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. The additional services further strengthened connectivity between Malaysia and key regional markets while expanding travel options for passengers.

Across the MAHB Group, including Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISG), passenger movements reached 74.8 million during the first half of 2026, representing a 3.2% increase over the same period last year. ISG contributed 23.8 million passengers, supported by continued international demand and network growth.

Malaysia Airports Managing Director Dato' Mohd Izani Ghani said, "June reflected the more cautious operating environment across the aviation industry as airlines continued adjusting capacity in response to evolving market conditions. While this moderated domestic passenger traffic, we remain focused on strengthening connectivity and supporting our airline partners to capture future growth opportunities."