Kuala lumpur: The allocation of RM50 million in matching grants aimed at encouraging international and charter flights to Malaysia is anticipated to significantly bolster global connectivity and draw more visitors to the country. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani expressed the group's approval of the government's ongoing commitment to infrastructure development and improved air connectivity as outlined in Budget 2026.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Izani highlighted the government's support for initiatives such as the inter-terminal transfer facility at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), upgrades at airports in Pulau Pinang, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, and Miri, and enhancements at short take-off and landing ports (STOLports) like Marudi and Redang. These developments are set to enhance Malaysia's airport network readiness, particularly in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Mohd Izani also noted the government's backing of the Selangor Aero Park (SAP) development as a regional logistics hub and the revitalization of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport as an aerospace industry hub. These initiatives are expected to accelerate the aviation ecosystem's growth and reinforce Malaysia's status as a key regional aviation hub.
Since MAHB's privatisation earlier this year, the company has concentrated on three strategic pillars: service, growth, and capacity. In 2025, MAHB recorded progress in airport infrastructure development, including upgrades at Ipoh Airport, which increased its capacity to 700,000 passengers annually, and the expansion of Kota Bharu Airport, set to be completed in 2026 with a capacity of up to four million passengers per year. The entry of ten new airlines further underscores the sustained confidence in Malaysia's position as a leading aviation hub in the region.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that strengthening MAHB would create larger investment opportunities and improve airport management efficiency, aligning with the government's goals to enhance the air transport system's competitiveness. Anwar mentioned ongoing expansions at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, alongside a RM2.3 billion investment in the development of airports in Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, and Miri, set for completion by 2028.
The STOLport upgrades in Marudi and Redang are expected to be completed in 2027, while the inter-terminal transfer facility between KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 aims to enhance passenger connectivity. Additionally, the Selangor state government, in collaboration with MAHB, is developing the 243-hectare SAP in Sepang as a regional logistics and cargo hub, poised to strengthen the nation's aviation ecosystem and attract high-value investments to Malaysia.