KUALA LUMPUR (June 26): Malaysia's air passenger traffic recorded a significant 12.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase to eight million passengers in May, which was also a 0.8% month-on-month (m-o-m) rise, according to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).

In a statement, Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said the growth was primarily driven by increased international travel, with both Asean and non-Asean regions contributing, despite a slight decrease in domestic traffic from the previous month.

"Notably, non-Asean air passenger traffic experienced the highest m-o-m increase at 2.9%, climbing from 1.9 million in April to two million in May.

"Overall international traffic saw a 2.2% m-o-m growth," he said.

Saripuddin said the May traffic figures demonstrate the resilience and ongoing recovery of the aviation sector, particularly in international traffic, which is a positive indicator of global travel and tourism health.

"With the restoration of more international routes and increased flight frequencies, we anticipate this trend to continue. 

"Mavcom remains dedicated to supporting the aviation industry's recovery, ensuring high standards of airport service quality, and protecting consumer rights," he added.

According to Mavcom, total air passenger traffic in May reached 97.2% of pre-pandemic levels, with international passenger traffic showing remarkable resilience, achieving 99.8% of the level of May 2019 with 4.1 million passengers.

"Domestic traffic also demonstrated a strong recovery at 94.7% of 2019 levels, totalling 3.9 million passengers in May 2024, compared with 4.1 million in April 2019," it said.

In the first five months of 2024 (5M2024), cumulative air passenger traffic stood at 38.5 million, a 16% y-o-y increase from 33.2 million during the same period in 2023. 

International air passenger traffic surged to 19.9 million, marking a 38.3% increase from 14.4 million in 5M2023.

"This surge underscores the aviation industry's robust recovery, and the restoration of international routes and frequencies. 

"Conversely, domestic passenger traffic slightly declined by 1.1% y-o-y to 18.6 million, down from 18.8 million in the same period last year," the commission said.

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