Malaysia's air passenger traffic soared to 80.3 million in the first ten months of 2024, putting the country on track to meet the Malaysian Aviation Commission's (MAVCOM) full-year forecast of between 95.4 million to 97.6 million passengers. This significant increase was attributed to a steady recovery in both domestic and international travel, building on the strong performance recorded in September 2024.
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According to the latest data, October 2024 saw eight million passengers, marking a 13.0% year-on-year increase compared to the same month in the previous year. However, this figure represented a 2.7% month-on-month decline from September's 8.2 million passengers. Despite this slight drop, October's traffic reached 89.7% of the level recorded in October 2019, reflecting a continued recovery in air travel following the global health crisis. International air traffic was a key driver in October 2024, with 4.2 million passengers recorded, which signifies a robust 20.5% increase year-on-year. This performance equates to 95.3% of the traffic levels seen in October 2019, showcasing the resilience of international route demand. Non-ASEAN international traffic saw an even more substantial year-on-year growth of 25.6%, while ASEAN routes grew by 15.8%.
Domestically, October 2024 observed 3.8 million passengers, a 5.9% year-on-year increase, although there was a 5.1% month-on-month decline from September. This suggests a slight cooling in domestic travel momentum but still indicates a healthy recovery trend. The growth in passenger numbers was driven by several factors, including increased seat capacity, the introduction of new routes, and visa exemptions for Chinese and Indian travelers. These measures have significantly enhanced Malaysia's position as a preferred destination for both leisure and business travelers. Notably, in September 2024, international non-ASEAN travel surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time, achieving a recovery rate of 101%.
The surge in passenger traffic reflects not only the recovery of Malaysia's aviation sector but also the broader economic recovery, as tourism plays a pivotal role in the country's economy. MAVCOM executive chairman, Saripuddin Kasim, highlighted the aviation sector's recovery momentum, expressing optimism about meeting the year-end targets. This performance underscores Malaysia's strategic efforts to revitalize its aviation industry post-COVID-19.