Malaysia’s air traffic will increase by 40 to 52% year-on-year according to a report released by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM). The report expects the travel recovery to grow between 74.6 million to 80.8 million passengers. This forecast is mostly based on the easing of pandemic restrictions in Asia along with key routes being restored by majority operators towards Q4 of 2022.
Domestic operators like Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, AirAsia X, and Batik Air are already in the planning stage to restore commercial operations and increase capacity to popular destinations such as China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Japan, Australia, and the Middle East.
The report claims that the growth in 2023 will be driven by gradual restoration of key markets going ahead.
Saripuddin Kasim, Executive Chairman, MAVCOM said: “The resumption and introduction of new air service routes by local airlines, as well as the relaxation of travel restrictions around the world, have contributed significantly to the recovery of passenger traffic to Malaysia.”
Malaysia recorded the total passenger traffic in Q3 of 2022 to 15.6 million, its highest since pandemic with a 71.3% increase from the pre-pandemic levels, while the international traffic was 38.6% of pre-pandemic levels. Now with increased capacity in Q4, the report forecasts the total passenger traffic to exceed 300 to 400% year-on-year basis and reach up to 53 to 55 million passengers.
The foundation for the increased forecast is based on the full reopening of the Malaysian borders to international travelers from April 2022.