SEPANG – After nearly a decade, Lufthansa German Airlines will resume direct services to KL International Airport (KLIA), reconnecting Kuala Lumpur with Frankfurt. Beginning end-October this year, the airline will operate five weekly flights using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering 287 seats across premium and economy cabins. The announcement was made at the ITB Berlin 2026, the world’s leading tourism trade fair.

The new service strengthens direct links between Malaysia and Europe while reinforcing KLIA’s role as a preferred regional hub. KLIA currently serves 71 airlines connecting passengers to 143 destinations worldwide, and Lufthansa’s addition further expands travel options for both leisure and business travellers. The service also increases the Star Alliance presence at KLIA to ten member airlines, enhancing alliance connectivity and transfer opportunities.

Malaysia Airports Managing Director, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani said the airline’s return reflects the airport operator’s continued efforts to expand global connectivity through strategic airline partnerships, “Lufthansa’s return to KLIA reflects the continued strengthening of our connectivity and the growing demand for direct links between Malaysia and Europe. Expanding airline partnerships remains central to our efforts to grow KLIA’s global network and support our ambition to position Malaysia as the most connected country in the Asia Pacific. As Visit Malaysia 2026 gathers momentum, enhanced connectivity will play an important role in attracting visitors, facilitating business travel and strengthening Malaysia’s role as a regional gateway.”

Through its Frankfurt hub, Lufthansa offers onward connections to major European destinations including Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Italy and Eastern Europe. The service will also provide additional belly-hold cargo capacity, supporting Malaysian exports and facilitating stronger trade flows between Malaysia and Europe.

SEPANG – Passengers travelling to, from, or transiting through parts of the Middle East are advised to check their latest flight status directly with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport.

Airspace restrictions in certain parts of the region may result in delays, rerouting or cancellations based on airline safety assessments. Even where services continue to operate, schedules and routing may be revised at short notice. Passengers are advised to verify their flight status directly with their airline before proceeding to the airport.

Passengers intending to travel to affected Middle East destinations should note that disruptions are not limited to direct services from KL International Airport (KLIA). Even if travelling via alternative transit points outside the region, onward services into affected destinations may be suspended or restricted. Travellers are therefore advised to verify the status of their entire journey, including connecting sectors, before making travel arrangements.

The airport community including Malaysia Airports as the operator, airlines, ground handlers, regulators and relevant airport stakeholders are working in close collaboration to monitor developments. Airport teams are on standby to provide guidance and coordinate with airlines on necessary arrangements, and to provide assistance to affected passengers at the terminals.

Passengers are encouraged to ensure their contact details are updated with their airline and to monitor official airline and airport channels for timely updates.

For information on passenger rights, travellers may refer to the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code under the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

Official travel advisories issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia (Wisma Putra) should also be consulted prior to travel.

Safety remains the highest priority. Passengers are advised to plan ahead and stay informed.

LANGKAWI – Langkawi International Airport (LGK) is once again recognised as the Best Airport in Asia Pacific (2–5 Million Passengers) at the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards by Airports Council International (ACI), marking its fifth consecutive win in the same category.

The ASQ Awards are regarded as the world’s leading airport customer experience benchmark, based entirely on real-time passenger feedback. Recognition is grounded in scientifically designed surveys capturing travellers’ experiences across key touchpoints including efficiency, cleanliness, comfort and overall service quality.

LGK’s sustained achievement reflects the airport operator’s’ disciplined focus on service excellence, operational consistency and continuous improvement at one of Malaysia’s premier leisure gateways. The airport’s consistent top ranking demonstrates that its passenger experience standards are not only maintained, but continually enhanced year after year.

Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, said the milestone holds special significance as Malaysia advances into Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

“This fifth consecutive recognition is a powerful endorsement from passengers themselves. It affirms the dedication of our airport community in Langkawi and reflects our commitment to delivering seamless, welcoming journeys at one of Malaysia’s most iconic island destinations. As VM2026 gains momentum, service excellence at key tourism gateways such as LGK will be critical in shaping first and lasting impressions of our country.”

He added that Langkawi plays a strategic role in supporting Malaysia’s aspiration to become the most connected country in the Asia Pacific region, particularly as international demand for resort and nature-based travel continues to strengthen.

In 2025, LGK handled 2.9 million passenger movements comprising 2.6 million domestic and 300,000 international, supported by expanding connectivity and steady growth in international arrivals. The airport currently serves multiple domestic and regional routes, reinforcing its position as a vital tourism gateway to the UNESCO Global Geopark.

Dato’ Mohd Izani further noted that Malaysia Airports will continue investing in passenger comfort, digital enhancements and collaborative initiatives with airlines, concessionaires and tourism stakeholders to elevate the overall travel experience.

With five consecutive ASQ wins, Langkawi International Airport stands as a consistent benchmark for service excellence in the Asia Pacific region, reinforcing Malaysia’s tourism appeal and strengthening the nation’s readiness to welcome the world for Visit Malaysia 2026.

SEPANG – January 2026, the first month of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), saw 9.4 million passenger movements across Malaysia Airports’ local network, reflecting the country's growing global appeal.

KL International Airport (KLIA) and Penang International Airport (PEN) recorded the highest year-on-year (YoY) growth within the network. KLIA led with 5.9 million passenger movements, an 8.2% YoY increase, followed by PEN with 741,183 passengers, a 3.8% YoY increase.

Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani said the growth reflects strong travel demand and Malaysia's expanding connectivity across the region, “Our aspiration is to position Malaysia as the most connected country in Asia-Pacific. As traffic grows, we remain focused on upgrading infrastructure, strengthening network connectivity, and delivering consistent service standards across all our airports. These enhancements are part of our proactive approach to ensuring capacity, reliability and service quality keep pace with growth.”

Service enhancements continued in January with the launch of RIMBA @ KLIA at the Satellite Building of KLIA Terminal 1, offering passengers a calm, nature-inspired rest area. The Vehicle Access Management Systems (VAMs) at KLIA Terminal 1 has also achieved a 99% compliance rate, improving traffic flow at drop-off and pick-up points.

Connectivity expanded further with at least six new routes introduced in January, linking Malaysia directly with Shanghai, Jinan, Hong Kong, Hefei, Guangzhou and Harbin. These services connect to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Penang, supporting tourism and regional economic growth.

Meanwhile, the Group’s asset in Türkiye, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISGIA), handled 4.2 million passengers in January 2026, a 14.3% year-on-year increase, comprising 2.4 million international passengers and 1.8 million domestic passengers.