KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 15): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) saw its total passenger movements jump 130% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 7.95 million in August from 3.46 million — the highest passenger volume recorded in 2022.
In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, MAHB's network of airports recorded a 178% surge in international passenger movements to 3.3 million from RM1.19 million. This was partly driven by the summer holiday period and visa relaxation in Saudi Arabia from July 30.
Domestic passenger movements also grew 105% to 4.7 million from 2.27 million.
"Entry procedures for foreign travellers into Malaysia have also been eased, eliminating the need for Traveller's Card, pre- departure & on-arrival test, and Home Surveillance Order requirement from [Aug 1] for fully vaccinated travellers," it said.
On the local front, airports in Malaysia recorded 4.8 million total passenger movements with international passenger movements steadily charting continued growth at 1.7 million passengers in August.
"Batik Air Malaysia, formerly known as Malindo Air, commenced Phuket route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), with seven flights weekly from Aug 1. Malaysia Airlines Bhd commenced two new direct services, KLIA-Haneda with two flights weekly from Aug 14 and Kota Kinabalu International Airport-Singapore with three flights weekly from Aug 28.
"Firefly resumed Phuket service from Penang International Airport on Aug 26 with four flights weekly," said MAHB.
Domestic passenger movements remained above the three million mark in August, recording 3.1 million passengers, or 65.7% of 2019 level, it said.
"Istanbul SGIA passenger movements continued to surpass the three million mark, with an equal mix of 50:50 international and domestic passenger volumes. International passenger movements recorded an encouraging volume in August 2022, reaching a new high at the tail end of summer holiday with 1.5 million passengers, exceeding [the] 2019 August level by 5.7%," MAHB added.
MAHB shares closed down nine sen or 1.5% to RM5.90 on Thursday (Sept 15), giving the group a market capitalisation of RM9.79 billion.