Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) recorded strong growth across its airport network in the first quarter of 2026, with Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) recording 16.9 million passenger movements, an increase of 14.4 percent compared to the same period last year.
According to a statement by MAHB today, a total of 9.1 million passenger movements were reported at MAHB-operated airports in March, with 5.6 million of the total passing through KLIA. During the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period from March 14 to 29, more than 3.1 million passengers used the airport.
Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of MAHB, said the continued growth across the airport network demonstrated the growing importance of Malaysia’s airports as regional gateways.
MAHB reported that Penang International Airport (PEN) recorded an 11% increase in international passenger numbers, from 371,601 in February to 412,958 in March.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) recorded a two per cent increase in domestic passenger numbers, from 541,248 in February to 551,049.
This development contributed to a total of 27.4 million passenger movements across the local airport network for the first quarter of this year.
MAHB’s wholly-owned international subsidiary, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISGIA), recorded 11.7 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, it said.
MAHB is also implementing continuous improvements to facilities and services across its network to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
At KLIA, a large-scale decorative installation inspired by the ketupat shape adorned the terminal, blending cultural identity and modern design.
Improvements were also carried out at regional airports such as Langkawi (LGK) and Kuching (KCH) which introduced improved baby care rooms, while Alor Setar (AOR), Kuantan (KUA), Labuan (LBU) and Lahad Datu (LDU) upgraded their check-in counters.
MAHB also introduced operational improvements to smooth passenger flow, including an early baggage check-in service for Malaysia Airlines passengers at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, providing more flexibility and a seamless pre-departure experience.
3 New Companies Expand MAHB Network
In line with these efforts, connectivity across MAHB’s network continued to grow in March with the entry of three new international airlines namely AeroDili from Timor-Leste, Air Algerie from Algeria, and Chongqing Airlines from China.
MAHB said the new routes introduced include Nanjing-Kuala Lumpur, Chongqing-Kota Kinabalu, Wuxi-Kuala Lumpur, Batam-Kuala Lumpur, Phuket-Penang, Guiyang-Kuala Lumpur, Guiyang-Kuching, Colombo-Kuala Lumpur, and Yangzhou-Kuala Lumpur.
