KUALA LUMPUR — Three more international airlines will commence flights to Kuala Lumpur by the end of this year, strengthening Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 as a regional aviation hub, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said would be in addition to Lufthansa Airlines’ planned return to Kuala Lumpur this October.
“(Including Lufthansa), we are expecting four (international) airlines from now until the end of the year. We will announce (the details of the airlines) soon,” he told Bernama during MAHB’s official visit to Wisma Bernama yesterday.
Mohd Izani said MAHB remained mindful of external factors, including uncertain weather conditions and geopolitical developments, which could impact its operations, while prioritising the continuity of air connectivity.
“We continue to promote Malaysia. As you know, the crisis in West Asia did have some impact, but based on our numbers in July, (air traffic) has improved, and hopefully in the coming months until the end of the year, we will continue to improve,” he said.
He also welcomed the government’s announcement that 2027 would also be designated as a Visit Malaysia Year, saying the initiative would benefit both KLIA and the country by strengthening the airport’s role as a gateway for international visitors to Malaysia.
On July 22, MAHB recorded 51 million passenger movements across its Malaysian airport network in the first half of financial year 2026, an increase of 1.8 per cent from the same period last year.
It said the positive performance was driven by sustained international travel demand despite weaker domestic traffic. – September 12, 2026