(Kuching, 27th) Malaysia's international air connectivity continues to strengthen, with a total of 3,343 weekly international flights nationwide, connecting 126 cities in 37 countries, transporting up to 674,000 passengers per week to 13 cities. Among them, Kuching ranks as the fifth busiest international air gateway in the country with 41 weekly flights.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing, stated that among Malaysia's 13 international cities, Kuala Lumpur remains the primary gateway, with 2,775 weekly flights carrying more than 570,000 passengers. Penang ranks second with 287 flights (53,000 passengers) weekly, followed by Kota Kinabalu (132 flights, 24,000 passengers) and Johor Bahru (49 flights).
He pointed out that ASEAN remains the largest source of flights, with 1,799 direct flights weekly. In addition, 37 connecting flights via Bali, Phuket, and Singapore continue to Malaysia, bringing the total weekly flights to 1,836. Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand top the list with 679, 470, and 331 flights respectively.
Tiong King Sing, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bintulu and state assemblyman for Dudong, said that ASEAN flights can carry up to 335,000 passengers weekly, with more than one-third coming from Indonesia, including Australian passengers transiting through Bali to Malaysia.
The second largest source of international flights is East Asia, with 818 weekly flights, followed by South Asia (394 flights), the Middle East (128 flights), Oceania (106 flights), Europe (43 flights), Central Asia (14 flights), and Africa (4 flights).
China leads the East Asian routes with 623 weekly flights carrying about 124,200 passengers. Japan follows with 70 weekly flights, carrying nearly 20,000 passengers, plus 19 connecting flights via Taipei.
South Asian flights can transport up to 77,500 passengers weekly, while Middle Eastern flights carry about 40,000 passengers. India has the strongest air connectivity with Malaysia at 232 weekly flights, transporting up to 44,400 passengers. From the Middle East, the UAE leads with 128 weekly flights and about 16,000 passengers.
He said there are currently 76 airlines from 37 countries and regions operating flights to Malaysia, with 9 airlines added this year alone. It is expected that up to 40 new international routes will open in 2025.
“In addition to five local airlines, Chinese carriers stand out, with 16 airlines operating, strengthening route connectivity and launching more flights to secondary cities.”
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing, stated that among Malaysia's 13 international cities, Kuala Lumpur remains the primary gateway, with 2,775 weekly flights carrying more than 570,000 passengers. Penang ranks second with 287 flights (53,000 passengers) weekly, followed by Kota Kinabalu (132 flights, 24,000 passengers) and Johor Bahru (49 flights).
Tiong King Sing, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bintulu and state assemblyman for Dudong, said that ASEAN flights can carry up to 335,000 passengers weekly, with more than one-third coming from Indonesia, including Australian passengers transiting through Bali to Malaysia.
The second largest source of international flights is East Asia, with 818 weekly flights, followed by South Asia (394 flights), the Middle East (128 flights), Oceania (106 flights), Europe (43 flights), Central Asia (14 flights), and Africa (4 flights).
China leads the East Asian routes with 623 weekly flights carrying about 124,200 passengers. Japan follows with 70 weekly flights, carrying nearly 20,000 passengers, plus 19 connecting flights via Taipei.
South Asian flights can transport up to 77,500 passengers weekly, while Middle Eastern flights carry about 40,000 passengers. India has the strongest air connectivity with Malaysia at 232 weekly flights, transporting up to 44,400 passengers. From the Middle East, the UAE leads with 128 weekly flights and about 16,000 passengers.
He said there are currently 76 airlines from 37 countries and regions operating flights to Malaysia, with 9 airlines added this year alone. It is expected that up to 40 new international routes will open in 2025.
“In addition to five local airlines, Chinese carriers stand out, with 16 airlines operating, strengthening route connectivity and launching more flights to secondary cities.”