AIR passenger traffic in Malaysia rose by 71.7% this year compared with that in the first nine months last year, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said from January to September this year, 62.83 million air passengers were recorded, and for September alone, 7.17 million air passengers were recorded, of which 3.3 million were international passengers and 3.85 million domestic.

“We expect that next year, the air passenger traffic will return to pre-Covid-19 levels. This is of course very important for the development and growth of not only the aviation sector, but also the Malaysian economy.

“This is important for the presence of foreign tourists in Malaysia because the tourism sector is one of the main catalysts in terms of national economic growth, (as it) involves sectors like services, hospitality and retail,” he said.

Loke said this at a press conference after chairing the National Aviation Consultative Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. – Bernama, October 11, 2023.