8.9 million passenger movements recorded in February 2026

February 2026 recorded 8.9 million passenger movements across Malaysia Airports’ local airport network, bringing the year-to-date total to 18.3 million passengers for the first two months of the year. This represents a 5.8% year-on-year increase compared with the same period in 2025. The growth was supported by the introduction of new airline services and increased flight frequencies on key regional routes during the Chinese New Year travel period.

During the month, several new airline services were introduced. Greater Bay Airlines launched charter fl ights between Hong Kong (HKG) and KLIA Terminal 2 (KUL), while China Eastern Airlines began operating a charter service from Hefei (HFE). Batik Air Malaysia commenced fl ights between Kota Kinabalu (BKI) and Singapore (SIN), and Firefly introduced a charter route from Tawau (TWU) to Nanjing (NKG). In addition, Spring Airlines started services between Penang (PEN) and Guangzhou (CAN), while Xiamen Airlines launched a new route linking Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Hangzhou (HGH).

The Chinese New Year festive season also resulted in higher fl ight frequencies across several domestic and regional routes. Airlines including Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, AirAsia and Batik Air added services to high-demand destinations such as Kuching, Johor Bahru, Tawau and Sibu, helping to accommodate the seasonal increase in travel demand as families and leisure travellers returned to their hometowns and holiday destinations.

According to the Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, “Passenger traffic in the first two months of 2026 recorded a steady start across our Chinese New Year festive season also resulted in higher flight frequencies across several domestic and regional routes. Airlines including Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, AirAsia and Batik Air added services to high-demand destinations such as Kuching, Johor Bahru, Tawau and Sibu, helping to accommodate the seasonal increase in travel demand as families and leisure travellers returned to their hometowns and holiday destinations.

According to the Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, “Passenger traffic in the first two months of 2026 recorded a steady start across our local airport network, refl ecting expanding connectivity and sustained demand for air travel. Even as passenger volumes grow, service standards have been consistently maintained, as demonstrated by Langkawi International Airport’s (LGK) fifth consecutive recognition in February as the Best Airport in Asia Pacific (2–5 Million Passengers) for the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards by Airports Council International (ACI).”

For February, KL International Airport (KLIA) handled 5.5 million passengers, continuing to anchor international traffic, particularly on routes linking Southeast Asia, China and other major regional hubs. Other key gateways such as Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) also recorded healthy passenger fl ows, with 760,620 movements in February, representing a 1.3% increase compared with January. While passenger demand across the region remains resilient, Malaysia Airports continues to closely monitor global developments affecting the aviation sector, including the evolving situation in the Middle East. The Group remains committed to maintaining safe, reliable and efficient operations across its airport network.