The commission disclosed that a total of 57 ATRs were awarded to the Malaysian civil aviation sector between April and June this year, consisting of 45 international and 12 domestic routes, according to its quarterly report today.
In spite of the aviation industry’s sustained recovery, Mavcom said there was a 11.7% drop in ATR applications in Q2 2023, compared to the previous quarter.
However, the report also displayed some positive trends, one of which was ATR applications growing by 5.3% when compared to the same quarter in 2019. The number of ATR applications in the international sector also increased by 12 throughout the same period.
The increases accentuate the industry’s expansion and return to normalcy, according to the statement.
Mavcom reported that AirAsia and its logistics subsidiary, Teleport, dominated the allocation of ATRs by securing 28% of the total 57 ATRs awarded in Q2 2023.
Additionally, Batik Air was granted ATR approvals for new routes to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Okinawa, Japan, with a layover in Taipei, Taiwan.
Nonetheless, AirAsia X obtained ATR approvals to operate flights on the Almaty, Kazakhstan route, while Teleport expanded its services to Hong Kong and crucial destinations within Malaysia, such as Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Tawau.
“In line with Malaysia Aviation Group’s (MAG) strategy to position Kota Kinabalu as a regional hub for Firefly, ATR approval was granted for flights from Kota Kinabalu to Narita and Taipei in May 2023,” said Mavcom.
In addition, the commission has awarded MYAirline the rights to operate flights to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
“The significant increase in ATR applications and approvals in Q2 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, bears testament to the industry’s inherent strength and its capacity to adapt and thrive,” it further added.
Last week, Mavcom reported that air passenger traffic grew 123.6% year-on-year in Q1 2023 compared to the same quarter last year.
This is equivalent to 73% of the overall passenger load achieved in Q1 2019, the year before Covid-19 reduced air travel to a minimum.