Malaysia Records 8.7 Million Passengers in February 2025, Up 6.9% – MAVCOM
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia recorded 8.7 million air passengers in February 2025, reflecting a 6.9 percent year-on-year increase compared to February 2024, according to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM).
In a statement on Thursday, MAVCOM noted that despite a 5.9 percent month-on-month decline, overall travel demand remained strong, supported by expanded connectivity, visa exemptions, and the ongoing school holiday period.
Year-to-date, 17.9 million passengers have traveled through Malaysian airports. MAVCOM projects that total air passenger traffic in 2025 will range between 105.8 million and 112.9 million, reinforcing sustained momentum in the aviation sector.
The Commission reported that domestic air passenger traffic for the month stood at 4.3 million, a 6.6 percent increase year-on-year, while international air passenger traffic reached 4.4 million, marking a 7.2 percent year-on-year rise.
International air traffic accounted for 51.5 percent of total passengers in the first two months of 2025, maintaining its position as the dominant segment.
“Growth in the non-ASEAN market was particularly robust, with 2.6 million passengers recorded in February, marking a 10.0 percent increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, the ASEAN market saw 2.2 million passengers, a 4.4 percent increase from the previous year,” the statement said.
Passenger numbers at major airports also continued to climb, with:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) up 7.2 percent
Penang International Airport up 8.7 percent
Senai International Airport up 6.9 percent
Kota Kinabalu International Airport up 5.3 percent
Langkawi International Airport up 2.3 percent
Kuching International Airport (KCH) up 1.7 percent
The positive growth trend was driven by factors such as increased seat capacity, visa exemptions for tourists from China and India, and the introduction of new international routes like:
Kota Kinabalu – Tokyo (Japan)
Kuala Lumpur – Urumqi (China)
Penang – Zhangjiajie (China)
Meanwhile, MAVCOM Executive Chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said the strong traffic performance confirmed that Malaysia’s aviation sector is on a path of recovery and growth.
“The introduction of new routes and policy initiatives such as visa exemptions continue to facilitate greater connectivity and drive expansion.
“In line with rising travel demand, MAVCOM will continue focusing on ensuring that this recovery is matched by high service quality, robust consumer protection, and effective regulatory oversight to support a resilient and future-ready aviation ecosystem,” he said.
— BERNAMA
