Kota Bharu Airport Expansion Supports Passenger Growth and International Connectivity
The expanded Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, commonly known as Kota Bharu Airport, continued to strengthen Malaysia’s aviation network during the first four months of 2026, recording steady passenger growth and improved international connectivity.
According to Malaysia Airports, Kota Bharu Airport handled 562,081 passenger movements between January and April 2026, representing a 3.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
In April alone, the airport recorded 131,099 passenger movements, highlighting continued travel demand in Malaysia’s East Coast region.
International Passenger Traffic Continues to Increase
International traffic at Kota Bharu Airport also showed positive growth during the first four months of the year.
The airport handled 4,562 international passengers from January to April 2026. Monthly international traffic increased from 873 passengers in January to 1,381 passengers in April, reflecting a 9.9% rise compared to March.
Currently, Kota Bharu Airport offers direct flights to Singapore through Scoot. A new direct service connecting Kota Bharu and Jakarta is scheduled to begin in June through AirAsia.
Airport Expansion Increases Capacity
The expansion of Kota Bharu Airport has significantly increased passenger handling capacity and improved airport facilities.
Malaysia Airports stated that the upgraded infrastructure is designed to accommodate future traffic growth while providing a smoother travel experience for passengers.
The enhanced facilities also strengthen the airport’s role in supporting regional connectivity and long-term aviation development.
Malaysia Airports Highlights Long-Term Growth Strategy
Mohd Izani Ghani said the growth across the airport network reflects continued investment in infrastructure, airline partnerships and service improvements.
He noted that projects such as the Kota Bharu Airport expansion contribute to tourism development, trade opportunities and stronger transportation links across Malaysia.
Malaysia Airport Network Records Strong Performance
Across the Malaysia Airports network, passenger traffic reached 8.1 million movements in April 2026.
For the first four months of the year, the network handled 35.5 million passengers, representing a 7.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
KLIA Continues to Lead Traffic Growth
Kuala Lumpur International Airport handled 5.2 million passengers during April and 22.1 million passengers from January to April 2026.
This represented year-on-year growth of 10.9% for the country’s main international gateway.
Passenger Numbers Ease After Hari Raya Peak
Malaysia Airports reported that passenger traffic declined slightly in April compared to March.
The local airport network recorded a 10.6% month-on-month decrease while Kuala Lumpur International Airport recorded a 7.2% decline.
The reduction followed exceptionally strong travel demand during the Hari Raya festive season in March and operational adjustments by some airlines linked to developments in the Middle East.
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