KUALA LUMPUR, 27 March 2025 – The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) today announced Malaysia’s air passenger traffic performance for February 2025, recording 8.7 million passengers, reflecting a 6.9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to February 2024. While there was a 5.9 per cent month-on-month (MoM) decline from January 2025 as travel demand normalised after the Chinese New Year holiday, overall demand remained strong, supported by expanded connectivity, visa exemptions, and the continued school holiday period.

Year-to-date, 17.9 million passengers travelled through Malaysian airports. MAVCOM has projected total air passenger traffic for 2025 to range between 105.8 million and 112.9 million, reinforcing the continued momentum in the aviation sector.

Domestic air passenger traffic in February 2025 stood at 4.3 million, increasing 6.6 per cent YoY, while international air passenger traffic totalled to 4.4 million, reflecting a 7.2 per cent YoY rise. International air traffic accounted for 51.5 per cent of total passenger volume in the first 2 months of the year, maintaining its position as the dominant segment. Growth in non-ASEAN markets was particularly strong, with 2.6 million passengers recorded in February, marking a 10.0 per cent YoY increase. ASEAN markets saw 2.2 million passengers, up 4.4 per cent YoY.

Passenger volumes at key airports continued to rise, with KL International Airport (KUL) recording a 7.2 per cent YoY increase, Penang International Airport (PEN) registering an 8.7 per cent rise, and Senai International Airport (JHB) growing by 6.9 per cent. Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) posted a 5.3 per cent increase, while Langkawi International Airport (LGK) and Kuching International Airport (KCH) recorded YoY growth of 2.3 per cent and 1.7 per cent, respectively.

The positive growth trend was supported by factors such as increased seat capacity, visa exemptions for tourists from China and India, and the introduction of new international routes, including Kota Kinabalu–Tokyo (Japan), Kuala Lumpur–Ürümqi (China), and Penang–Zhangjiajie (China).

Datuk Seri Hj. Saripuddin Hj. Kasim, Executive Chairman of MAVCOM, commented, “February’s traffic performance reaffirms Malaysia’s aviation sector as being firmly on a path of sustained recovery and growth. The introduction of new routes and policy initiatives such as visa exemptions continue to facilitate greater connectivity and drive growth. As travel demand grows, MAVCOM remains focused on ensuring that this recovery is matched by good service quality, robust consumer protection and sound regulatory oversight to support a resilient and future-ready aviation ecosystem.”