In its air passenger and cargo traffic statistics report for Q1 2024, the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) said international air traffic surged by 39.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 11.9 million passengers, while domestic air passenger traffic eased by 2.3% to 10.7 million passengers.

Mavcom executive chairman Saripuddin Kasim said the air traffic figures for Q1 2024 are a clear indication that the aviation sector is on a robust path to recovery.

“Airlines have shifted their attention to restoring and adding new international destinations in their networks, and the establishment of the 30-day visa exemptions for tourists from China and India provided a conducive environment for the accelerated return of international air travel.

“At the same time, our commitment to robust consumer protection measures and regulatory oversight remains unwavering, underscoring the industry’s pivotal role in fostering connections and driving economic sustainability,” he said in a statement.

Mavcom said the industry’s recovery from the aftermath of the pandemic remains on an upward trajectory at 85.5% of 2019 levels, with international air traffic recovery at 89.3% and domestic at 81.7% of pre-pandemic levels.

“For the first time since the pandemic, the share of international air traffic exceeded domestic air traffic, reflecting a robust recovery in international routes and frequencies as well as a shift back to international travel as global tourism recovers,” it said.

Domestic and international air passenger traffic accounted for 47.5% and 52.5% of total quarterly air passenger traffic, respectively.

Additionally, it said despite a reduction in air cargo movements in Q1 2024, Malaysia’s air cargo movements have remained above pre-pandemic levels at 100.7% of air cargo movements in Q1 2019.

“Meanwhile, total air passenger traffic in Q1 2024 increased quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) by 2.7% compared to Q4 2023, with international air passenger traffic increased by 7.9% q-o-q, while domestic air traffic declined slightly by 2.5% q-o-q,” Mavcom said.

At the same time, Malaysia recorded 227,365 metric tonnes of cargo movements in Q1 2024, a decrease of 6.3% y-o-y compared to 242,750 metric tonnes during Q1 2023.

Domestic air cargo movements decreased by 30.7% y-o-y, while international air cargo movements increased by 7.2% y-o-y.