PERTH (March 24): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is scheduled to meet with 18 targeted airlines to discuss route development into airports across Malaysia. This meeting, involving both new and existing airlines, will take place at Routes Asia 2025 in Perth.

“It is a good opportunity to meet targeted airlines – both new and current ones – and discuss route development in the quest to increase the number of airlines operating in Malaysia, especially at our main gateway, KLIA,” said MAHB’s senior general manager, strategy, Megat Ardian.

According to MAHB’s 2023 Annual Report, there are 72 airlines currently operating within MAHB’s network of airports in Malaysia.

Through these discussions, MAHB aims to attract potential new airlines to initiate services in Malaysia and to expand services with existing airlines through new routes, increased frequencies, and the introduction of new aircraft.

Routes Asia 2025 is hosted by Perth Airport and Tourism Western Australia. The three-day event, commencing on March 25, is recognised as the premier route development event in the Asia Pacific region. It provides a platform for airlines, airports, tourism authorities, and aviation stakeholders from around the world to share best practices and collaborate on network strategies to enhance air service development across the region.

The event will support Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), which aims to boost tourism revenue and establish the tourism sector as a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product, said Megat. The tourist arrival target for VM2026 is 35.6 million.

MAHB has been a participant in Routes events since 2001 and has hosted the event multiple times. From 2003 to 2005, MAHB hosted New Route Asia in Kuala Lumpur, which marked the beginning of Routes Asia's events in the Asia Pacific.

Most recently, in 2024, MAHB, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, co-hosted Routes Asia in Langkawi, which achieved a record number of delegate participants post-pandemic.