Malaysia Airports sees strong growth in 2014, with 9.7% passenger growth

by **Cals** Thu 20 Mar 2014, 19:08

Malaysia Airports sees strong growth in 2014, with 9.7% passenger growth
Business & Markets 2014
Written by Ho Wah Foon of theedgemalaysia.com
Thursday, 20 March 2014 17:01

KUALA LUMPUR (March 20): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said it is confident of recording passenger growth of 9.7% in 2014, as it will continue to enjoy the benefit from the entry of new airlines and expansion of local carriers.

“Apart from the seven new foreign airlines that have started their operations in 2013, Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia Group are expected to continue contributing strongly to the passenger growth, while Malindo Air is expected to launch new routes in 2014,” said MAHB in a statement after its annual general meeting today.

It said Malaysia Airlines’ entry into the One World alliance in February 2013 has helped increase KLIA’s market outreach as well as its breadth of connectivity across continents and will continue to provide important support for passenger growth in 2014.

The expected seat capacity expansion of airlines, coupled with strong tourist arrivals due to the Visit Malaysia Year 2014, will support MAHB’s growth momentum, it added.

“Therefore, Malaysia Airports is confident to record another remarkable passenger growth of 9.7% in 2014… we are shifting into a higher gear, our retail arm is ready to tap the opportunities of the forthcoming opening of klia2,” said Tan Sri Wan Aziz Wan Abdullah, chairman of MAHB.

Malaysia Airports recorded a passenger growth of 18.4% in FY2013, outpacing the forecasted passenger growth rate of 7.1% for 2013, with a record number of 79.6 million passengers having passed through Malaysia Airports’s 39 airports in Malaysia.

“With the assurance from the terminal building contractors that the final works at klia2 are on schedule, and the Certificate of Completion and Compliance will be obtained in April, klia2 is on track to open on 2 May 2014,” said MAHB.

On Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and LGM acquisition, Malaysia Airports said it aims to complete the acquisition by the first half of 2014.