SEPANG – Passenger movements across the Malaysia Airports Group’s global airport network reached 153.3 million in 2025, signalling positive travel momentum as Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026) gets underway. Within its Malaysia network of 39 airports, a total of 104.4 million passengers were handled during the year, an 11.2% increase year-on-year (YOY).

December 2025 marked the most demanding operational month of the year, with 10 million passengers handled across airports nationwide, a 15.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The month was defined by an intense festive peak between Christmas and New Year, when more than one million passengers were processed over a single three-day stretch. Operations had remained stable during this period.

Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, said the performance reflected the strength and readiness of airport operations across the network, “Managing more than one million passengers over a concentrated three-day festive period, reflects the effectiveness of operational planning, close coordination with airline partners, and the dedication of our frontline teams nationwide.”

Passenger traffic growth in December was broad-based across key airports. KL International Airport (KLIA) handled 6.1 million passengers, contributing to a full year total of 63.3 million passengers, a 10.8% increase YOY. Subang Airport (SZB) recorded the strongest month-on-month growth at 34.4%, rising from 142,000 to 191,000 passengers. Kota Kinabalu (BKI) grew 23.5% to 802,000 passengers, Langkawi (LGK) increased 23% to 290,000, Penang (PEN) rose 12.2% to 772,000, while Kuching (KCH) recorded a 10.3% increase to 540,000 passengers.

The strong passenger performance was supported by continued network expansion, with new airline partners and destinations added across the network of airports in Malaysia. These efforts reflect a broader ambition to position Malaysia as the best connected country in Southeast Asia, supported by sustained investment, close engagement with airline partners and a focus on long-term network development.

New services launched in December 2025 further strengthened connectivity at KLIA. These included Xiamen Airlines’ thrice-weekly Hangzhou–Kuala Lumpur service at Terminal 2, 9 Air’s three weekly flights from Hangzhou, and Hainan Airlines’ twice-weekly Qionghai–Kuala Lumpur route. Batik Air Malaysia introduced six new services, including routes to Osaka (Kansai), Singapore (from Ipoh, Subang and Penang), Kuala Namu, and Jakarta (CGK). Additional services were launched by Firefly with five weekly flights to Cebu, and Sichuan Airlines with three weekly services between Chongqing and Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, the Group’s asset in Türkiye, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, handled 49.0 million passengers in 2025, a 17.5% YOY increase. In December alone, the airport processed 4.2 million passengers.

As travel activity continues through Visit Malaysia 2026, Malaysia Airports remains focused on strengthening service resilience, enhancing capacity readiness and advancing partnership-led growth across its network.

SEPANG – Transit and transfer passengers at KL International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 now have an additional space to unwind with Rimba, a nature-inspired environment that creates a refreshed experience for passengers, while remaining distinctly Malaysian.

Rimba was launched earlier this morning by YABhg Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah Dr Wan Ismail, reflecting the airport’s role as a national gateway that reflects Malaysia’s identity and hospitality.

Building on the airport's long-standing nature-themed feature, previously known as the Jungle Boardwalk, Rimba enhances the space with a stronger focus on passenger comfort and experience.

Located within the Satellite Building, Rimba adds a new dimension to the range of amenities available to transit and transfer passengers by offering a calm setting that provides visual relief and a sense of place during time spent between flights.

As Malaysia’s primary gateway, KLIA plays a role in shaping first impressions of the country. Enhancements such as Rimba support the broader spirit of Visit Malaysia 2026 by presenting an environment that reflects Malaysia’s natural identity and service culture for travellers arriving into, or passing through, the airport.

By refining a key airside space, Rimba contributes to passenger comfort and perception, elements that influence international benchmarks such as the Skytrax World Airport Awards and ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ), where terminal ambience and overall experience are assessed alongside operational performance.

Malaysia Airports Managing Director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani said airports must compete on experience as well as efficiency. “With 50 to 60 million passengers passing through KLIA each year, how travellers feel during transit matters. Rimba offers a more comfortable pause between flights while giving passengers a sense of Malaysia’s rich, natural character. Enhancements like this help shape positive impressions and strengthen KLIA’s position as a regional hub.”

Spanning 970 square metres, Rimba features refreshed entrances, enhanced greenery, locally crafted rattan lighting and garden-style seating. These elements are designed to ease travel fatigue and support smoother passenger movement through the satellite concourse.

The enhancement will be implemented in phases, with a subsequent phase introducing premium retail offerings and improvements to nearby passenger touchpoints such as connection desks and information counters. Rimba forms part of KLIA’s wider programme of targeted terminal enhancements to progressively uplift passenger experience.

9 January 2026, Selangor - Cenergi SEA Berhad (“Cenergi”), a subsidiary of UEM Lestra Berhad, and KLIA Aeropolis Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (Malaysia Airports) are co-developing a 36MWp large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant integrated with a 45MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) under the Solar for Self-Consumption (SELCO) programme. 

The project, undertaken by Cenergi Aeropolis Renewable Energy Sdn. Bhd. (CARE), a joint-venture between Cenergi and KLIA Aeropolis, will be located within the KLIA Aeropolis precinct and is designed to supply clean, renewable energy directly for airport operations at KL International Airport (KLIA). The integration of energy storage positions the project among the early large-scale self-consumption solar developments in Malaysia to incorporate BESS, enhancing energy reliability and operational efficiency. 

“The CARE project marks Cenergi’s first deployment of a Battery Energy Storage System integrated with a large-scale solar facility. This milestone reflects our commitment to advancing innovative and reliable renewable energy solutions that support decarbonisation while enhancing energy resilience for critical infrastructure,” said Ir. Kwok Yew Hoe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cenergi SEA Berhad. 

“This initiative marks a key milestone in Malaysia Airports’ Net Zero Decarbonisation Roadmap, supporting the target of achieving a 20% renewable energy mix by 2030 and Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The integration of on-site solar generation with energy storage delivers clean energy to KLIA while enhancing energy resilience and advancing our long-term sustainability commitments,” said Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, the Managing Director of Malaysia Airports. 

Upon completion, the CARE solar and BESS facility is expected to generate approximately 46 GWh of clean electricity annually over a project lifespan of 25 years. The project is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 35,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to removing about 8,000 vehicles from the road or powering approximately 13,400 homes annually. 

The inclusion of BESS enables more effective energy management by optimising solar energy utilisation, supporting peak demand requirements, and improving system stability. This strengthens KLIA’s efforts to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Level 4 while increasing the adoption of renewable energy across airport operations. 

The CARE project reflects the shared commitment of Cenergi and Malaysia Airports to advance sustainability initiatives and demonstrates how renewable energy and energy storage solutions can be practically deployed within critical infrastructure environments. It also aligns with national aspirations to accelerate the transition towards cleaner energy sources and strengthen long-term energy resilience. 

Through CARE, Cenergi continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio while delivering solutions that combine environmental stewardship, technological innovation, and operational reliability.

SEPANG – Airports across Malaysia marked the start of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) at midnight on 1 January 2026, with coordinated arrival activities held at 19 airports nationwide, including KL International Airport (KLIA). The “Ambang VM2026” welcome reflected readiness across the airport network to support increased passenger volumes while maintaining consistent service standards at every entry point. 

As the country’s gateway operator, Malaysia Airports has strengthened its network ahead of VM2026 to ensure smooth, reliable and welcoming arrivals, supported by efficient operations and upgraded facilities across both international and domestic airports. 

Malaysia Airports Managing Director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani said the Group’s priority during VM2026 is to manage rising traffic volumes while maintaining reliable performance across all airports, “All our airports operate under a coordinated, nationwide framework to ensure the same service standards at every entry point. Our focus is on efficient use of assets, stable operating processes and close coordination with airline partners. This enables us to support connectivity growth, manage peak flows effectively and deliver dependable airport operations that meet international expectations, whether at an international gateway or a domestic airport.” 

Translating this approach into action, airports nationwide underwent targeted upgrades in 2025, with the extensive modernisation of KLIA at the heart of the programme. Across Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, more than 30 improvement initiatives were implemented to support a more seamless and inclusive passenger journey, covering upgraded passenger processing systems, expanded self-service facilities, refreshed public amenities and enhanced commercial offerings. 

Key initiatives included upgraded check-in and open bag drop kiosks, the introduction of a vehicle access management system to improve kerbside traffic flow, 12,500 new passenger trolleys, 100 complimentary wheelchairs and 210 baby strollers, family-friendly washrooms, refurbished open-concept waiting lounges, upgraded surau facilities, and the launch of a Calm Room for Terminal 2 passengers with hidden disabilities. 

Recognising that the VM2026 experience begins at every entry point, Malaysia Airports also accelerated upgrades at other airports, including Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and selected domestic gateways. Enhancements include the rollout of Self Service Bag Drop, cashless parking systems, escalator upgrades, as well as surau and washroom refurbishments, ensuring consistency in service quality across the network. 

Beyond physical upgrades, VM2026 introduces an enhanced commercial experience across Malaysia Airports’ network. Retail and food and beverage offerings have been expanded to include a wider mix of local and international brands, experiential pop-ups, and travel essentials. Highlights include collaborations with LEGO through themed activations and exclusive offerings, as well as the refreshed Licence to Win campaign, now extended to include non-shoppers. New outlets such as Arabica, Läderach, Fred’s, Rituals and Charlotte Tilbury at Terminal 2 further enhance choice and convenience, while showcasing Malaysian creativity and elevating the airport experience from arrival to departure. 

In parallel with passenger-facing enhancements, Malaysia Airports has also strengthened its airline engagement strategy to support air connectivity growth through incentives for new and expanding routes. These efforts are complemented by Tourism Malaysia’s Geran Sepadan Penerbangan dan Charter (GSPC) under Budget 2026, which enables airlines to undertake overseas marketing and promotional activities to drive inbound tourism through scheduled and charter flights. 

As Visit Malaysia 2026 unfolds, Malaysia Airports continues to work closely with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and industry stakeholders to align airport operations with national tourism objectives. These coordinated efforts ensure that every arrival delivers a seamless and efficient introduction to the country, reflecting both global standards and Malaysia’s distinctive hospitality.