For the 12-month basis, MAHB’s total airports’ network recorded a 61.5% growth, with 42m passenger movements 

by ANIS HAZIM / Pic by BERNAMA

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) continued to sustain above the four million mark after it recorded 4.7 million passenger movements including Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SGIA), Turkey in February 2022. 

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, MAHB said Malaysia saw 2.5 million, while Istanbul SGIA recorded 2.1 million passenger movements which contributed to the growth for the month. 

“It is encouraging to note that there was an uptick in Malaysia and Istanbul SGIA daily traffic passenger movements for February 2022 compared to January 2022, indicating traffic regaining momentum after a temporary setback due to the re-imposition of travel restrictions following the recent wave of Omicron,” said MAHB. 

Malaysia and Istanbul SGIA daily average passenger movements for February recorded 90,500 and 68,000 compared to January 2022 at 88,000 and 59,000 daily average volume respectively.

For the 12-month basis, MAHB’s total airports’ network recorded a 61.5% growth, with 41.8 million passenger movements. 

On the other hand, MAHB said that Singapore moves in adding more vaccinated travel lanes with other countries and the recent reopening of borders without quarantine for vaccinated holders by Thailand and Australia has set precedence for other countries. 

Meanwhile, MAHB views that Malaysia reopening international borders from April 1 is a positive development that would facilitate international traffic recovery. 

“MAHB’s airports are ready to receive international passengers with safety protocols in place while ensuring passenger experiences are smooth,” it said. 

MAHB also expects that the traffic will likely recover steadily over the next few months as more countries reopen borders in line with higher vaccination rates in the region and gain further traction from the second half of 2022. 

However, the general closure of Ukraine and Russia’s air space following the Ukraine-Russia conflict has temporarily disrupted flights between Istanbul SGIA, Ukraine and Russia (Moscow and Saint Petersburg). 

“As for the Asia Pacific, the air space closure has propelled airlines to reroute flights to Europe, adding flight time and increasing fuel consumption and cost,” it added. 

MAHB further said that they are closely monitoring the ongoing developments in Ukraine along with the rising jet fuel prices, and would continue assessing the impact on the group’s international traffic.