MAHB outlines airport expansion plans and push for more airlines
Penang airport works will continue until 2028, while Kota Kinabalu’s capacity is set to reach 12 million passengers by the same year.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is seeking to attract additional airlines while increasing airport capacity to accommodate future traffic, managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said. The operator also aims to expand international connections at several Malaysian airports.
Speaking to Bernama Mobile Service in conjunction with Transport Expo Asia 2026, Mohd Izani said work at Penang airport would run until 2028. Kota Kinabalu airport would be able to handle 12 million passengers by that year, compared with nine million now. He said MAHB plans capacity increases ahead of congestion.
Tawau Airport is also being expanded, he said. It serves travellers heading to Sipadan Island, including tourists from China who visit for diving and snorkelling.
At Kota Bharu, passenger capacity has risen to four million from 1.5 million. Mohd Izani said he had been told that AirAsia’s direct Jakarta service and flights connecting Kota Bharu with Singapore were receiving a good passenger response.
MAHB is working with airlines and state authorities on a connection between Kota Bharu and Bangkok, he said. The operator is also collaborating with airlines and state authorities to support Langkawi tourism, including efforts to attract more direct flights.
At Kuala Lumpur International Airport, MAHB continues to upgrade facilities and services and introduce technology to improve efficiency, Mohd Izani said. He called for coordination among Customs, Immigration, police, airlines and ground handlers to make airport journeys smoother.
He added that MAHB uses artificial intelligence to forecast passenger arrival peaks and provides data to Customs and Immigration to help them prepare their operations.
