PUTRAJAYA, January 22 – Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that Malaysia’s air passenger traffic is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by increased seat capacity, rising demand for international travel, and improving household incomes. The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) estimates passenger numbers will reach between 105.8 million and 112.9 million in 2025, exceeding the 2019 record of 109.3 million.

Loke highlighted airlines’ proactive measures to address global supply chain challenges, such as optimizing maintenance schedules and renegotiating supplier contracts. He also noted a forecasted 15.8% increase in airline capacity, with domestic travel expected to grow by 21.1%. Growth regions include Africa, Europe, and South Asia. Additionally, air cargo volume is anticipated to rise by up to 8.5%, driven by e-commerce and economic recovery.

Last year, passenger traffic grew by 14.3% to 97.1 million, bolstered by new air routes and visa exemptions for Chinese and Indian tourists.