He attributed the growth to strong travel demand in Asean and internationally, which rose by 19.8% and 38.9% respectively.

“The increase underscores the aviation industry’s resilience and its capacity to rebound from challenges,” he said at a press conference at the transport ministry here.

Loke said domestic passenger traffic also contributed to this growth, though at a more modest rate of 2.2%.

“The addition of flight routes, visa exemptions for Chinese and Indian travellers and enhanced connectivity were pivotal in driving these figures.

“Key nations contributing to the rise included China, India, Indonesia and Gulf countries, alongside new routes to Kazakhstan and Kenya,” he said.

Loke said airports across Malaysia experienced year-on-year growth, with Kuala Lumpur International Airport leading at 20.9%.

He said airlines expanded seating capacities to meet increasing travel demand, further boosting the sector.

Loke said Malaysia’s aviation cargo segment also grew, recording an 8.3% increase to 1,034.1 million kg in 2024.

“This growth was largely driven by e-commerce demand and supply chain disruptions from global shipping crises.

“Looking forward, Malaysia’s air passenger traffic in 2025 is projected to reach up to 112.9 million passengers.

“This year’s numbers could surpass the pre-pandemic record of 109.3 million passengers in 2019,” he said.

Loke said the Malaysian Aviation Commission expected air cargo volume in 2025 to increase by 4.5% to 8.5% year-on-year, supported by economic recovery and ongoing growth in the e-commerce sector.