KUCHING: Malaysia now has direct air connectivity to 126 cities across 37 countries and territories, with more than 3,343 international flights carrying up to 674,000 passengers into 13 cities every week.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King said ASEAN remains the largest contributor, with 1,799 direct flights weekly.
In addition, he said there are 37 transit flights via Bali, Phuket and Singapore before continuing to Malaysia, thus bringing the total to 1,836 weekly flights from the region.
“Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand record the highest number of weekly flights to Malaysia, with 679, 470 and 331 flights respectively.
“Overall, flights from ASEAN can carry up to 335,000 passengers, with more than one-third originating from Indonesia, including Australian passengers transiting via Bali,” he said.
Tiong revealed that the second-largest source of international flights is East Asia, with 818 weekly flights, followed by South Asia (394), the Middle East (128), Oceania (106), Europe (43), Central Asia (14) and Africa (four).
He said China leads East Asia with 623 weekly flights carrying approximately 124,200 passengers, followed by Japan with 70 flights bringing in nearly 20,000 passengers, as well as 19 transit flights via Taipei.
“South Asia can carry up to 77,500 passengers per week, while the Middle East accounts for nearly 40,000 passengers weekly. Meanwhile, India records the strongest air connectivity with Malaysia in South Asia, with 232 weekly flights carrying up to 44,400 passengers.
“In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates leads with 53 flights out of the region’s 128 weekly services, carrying up to 16,000 passengers.
Tiong said a total of 76 airlines from 37 countries and territories are currently operating into Malaysia, including nine new airlines this year, with 40 new international routes launched in 2025.
In addition to five local airlines, China stands out with 16 airlines, strengthening air links and opening access to more secondary cities.
“Among 13 international cities, Kuala Lumpur remains the main gateway, handling 2,775 weekly flights with a capacity exceeding 570,000 passengers. Penang is the second busiest with 287 flights and 53,000 passengers, followed by Kota Kinabalu with 132 flights and 24,000 passengers.
“Johor Bahru receives 49 flights, while Kuching handles 41 international flights per week,” he added.
