KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been ranked as the second-busiest airport in Southeast Asia, according to data from the United Kingdom-based global travel analytics provider OAG Aviation.
As of September, it recorded 3.32 million departing seats, representing a 7.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Singapore’s Changi Airport led the way in the region with 3.58 million departing seats, while Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was ranked third.
Universiti Utara Malaysia's Management and Leadership Case Study Centre director Prof Narentheren Kaliappen said that KLIA’s achievement reflects more than just a statistic, as it signifies Malaysia’s broader recovery and growth since the pandemic.
“KLIA’s passenger traffic reflects the same upward trend as Malaysia’s tourist arrivals, underscoring strong momentum and growing confidence.”
“Airlines are expanding their routes through Malaysia, and an increasing number of travellers are choosing KLIA not only as a transit point but also as a destination hub,” he told Bernama today.
Meanwhile, Narentheren noted that Malaysia recorded about 27 million international visitors in 2024, with numbers expected to grow to 31 million this year, which is a 15 per cent increase.
This growth is laying the foundation for the government’s Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, which targets 45 million visitors and RM270 billion in receipts.
On competition in the region, he said Changi Airport remains the benchmark, handling around 68 million passengers last year.
KLIA, with about 57 million passengers, is narrowing the gap, while Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport also ranks among the busiest, with between 49 and 55 million passengers annually.
“The real story here is momentum. KLIA is growing faster than many expected, and that growth places us firmly in the league of airports that matter for regional connectivity,” Narentheren said.
The surge in arrivals also reflects international travellers’ renewed confidence in Malaysia as a safe, stable, welcoming, and attractive destination.
He said that choosing a destination is about more than just buying a flight ticket, as it is also about trusting that the country is secure, clean, and provides a good experience.
“The fact that airlines are adding more frequencies and reopening routes to KLIA proves demand is strong. In simple terms, the confidence we are seeing today is the foundation for tourism growth tomorrow,” Narentheren said.
Looking ahead, he stressed that KLIA must continue addressing capacity bottlenecks, enhancing passenger experience and pushing green initiatives to sustain its growth.
Expanding long-haul routes, particularly to North America, Africa, and secondary European cities, would also strengthen its position as a regional hub
“Malaysia has always aspired for KLIA to be more than just a national airport. This latest ranking shows we are closer to realising that ambition, especially with the dual advantage of premium carriers like Malaysia Airlines and world-class low-cost players like AirAsia,” Narentheren said.
KLIA’s performance directly supports Malaysia’s economic ambitions, with tourism receipts projected to hit RM125.5 billion in 2025.
“It strengthens local economies from hotels and restaurants to transport operators and retailers, and it creates jobs and builds Malaysia’s international brand.
“Put simply, when KLIA thrives, it is not just the aviation sector that benefits, but the whole economy moves forward with it,” he said.
