(The Edge filepix by Zahid Izzani)

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) said its total passenger movements surpassed the 100 million mark in 2023 — marking the first time since 2020 — at 120 million passengers.

This represents a substantial recovery rate of 84.6% against 2019 levels, said the airline operator in a statement on Wednesday.

“Local airports played a pivotal role in achieving yet another milestone. Despite rising air fares, inflation and severe weather changes, local airports contributed significantly, registering a record-breaking 81.9 million total passenger movements, a 77.8% recovery [from] 2019 levels,” said MAHB.

According to the group, airports in Malaysia experienced a further uptick in passenger traffic in December 2023, with a total of 7.7 million recorded, in line with the long year-end holidays.

“The international sector saw an 18% increase from 3.4 million passengers in November 2023. Concurrently, the domestic sector saw a 16% increase from 3.2 million passengers,” it said.

Meanwhile, MAHB’s Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) handled 3.1 million total passenger movements in December 2023.

SAW's performance contributed 29% to the total traffic of 10.9 million passengers recorded by MAHB in December 2023.

“Year 2023 also marked a significant milestone for SAW, as not only did the airport surpass 2019 levels, but total passenger movements reached a record high of 37.6 million, which is a notable increase of 4.5% from 2019. This growth can be attributed to the airlines’ rapid expansion and new operations in the international sector,” said MAHB.

For the first time, international traffic share had reached more than 50% of the airport’s total passengers, the airport operator said.

MAHB noted that Pegasus commenced services to four new routes, namely Alexandria, Egypt; Kutaisi, Georgia; Dortmund, Germany; and Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Ajet (previously known as Anodolujet) launched a new service to Belgrade, Serbia, whereas British Airways increased services to daily flights to the Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom. In addition, Flynas launched a new service to Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

MAHB said a total of 72 airlines operating actively within the group’s network of local airports at the end of 2023 — up 55% compared to the preceding year — attributed to the launch of six new airlines, the resumption of seven other airlines, as well as the introduction of new routes by existing airlines.

At the time of writing on Wednesday, MAHB’s share price rose three sen or 0.39% to RM7.69, giving it a market capitalisation of RM12.83 billion.