Malaysia Boosts Global Flight Links

28 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: East Asia has solidified its position as Malaysia’s second-largest source of international flights, with 818 weekly services, as the country continues to strengthen its global air connectivity. Overall, Malaysia now boasts direct flight connections to 126 cities across 37 countries and regions, with over 3,343 international flights bringing approximately 674,000 passengers into 13 gateway cities each week, according to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

In a post shared on Facebook, Tiong highlighted that ASEAN remains Malaysia’s largest source market, accounting for 1,799 direct international flights each week. An additional 37 transit flights through Bali, Phuket, and Singapore bring the total number of ASEAN-related flights to 1,836 weekly.

“Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand record the highest number of weekly flights to Malaysia, with 679, 470, and 331 flights respectively,” he said.

Overall, flights from ASEAN can accommodate up to 335,000 passengers per week, with more than a third originating from Indonesia.

This figure also includes travellers from Australia transiting via Bali, he added.

Tiong noted that East Asia is the second-largest source of international flights, with 818 weekly services, followed by South Asia (394), the Middle East (128), Oceania (106), Europe (43), Central Asia (14), and Africa (four).

China leads East Asia with 623 weekly flights, transporting around 124,200 passengers, followed by Japan with 70 flights carrying nearly 20,000 passengers, along with 19 transit flights via Taipei.

South Asia contributes up to 77,500 passengers weekly, while the Middle East accounts for nearly 40,000 passengers. India maintains 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 per week, transporting approximately 16,000 passengers.

“A total of 76 airlines from 37 countries and regions are currently operating flights to Malaysia, including nine new carriers launched this year, with 40 new international routes introduced in 2025,” Tiong said.

He added that, besides five local carriers, China stands out with 16 airlines expanding air connectivity and opening access to more secondary cities.

Among the 13 international gateway cities, Kuala Lumpur remains the primary entry point, with 2,775 weekly flights and a capacity exceeding 570,000 passengers.

Penang ranks second with 287 flights and 53,000 passengers, followed by Kota Kinabalu with 132 flights and 24,000 passengers.

Johor Bahru receives 49 international flights weekly, while Kuching handles 41 flights.