KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd foresees improved performance following the increase in international passenger traffic movements, thanks to the government’s move to reopen the country’s borders on April 1, 2022, as part of the transition into the endemic phase.

       "The reopening of borders will be the turning point in Malaysia’s economic recovery. Similarly, it will improve Malaysia Airports’ performance as a result of the increase in international passenger traffic movements,” Malaysia Airports chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said in a statement here, on Tuesday (March 8).

       Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia received 26 million tourist arrivals into the country which generated a total of RM86bil in tourist expenditures.

       "With borders reopening, the country will be able to regain this source of income. On top of that, global market demands on local industries will also increase and all these will potentially spur Malaysia’s economic recovery at a faster rate,” he said.

       Zambry also gave his commitment that Malaysia Airports will fully support the government’s efforts by making sure that service quality at the airport remains at the highest level as part of measures in ensuring readiness to receive more passengers in the coming months.

       Malaysia Airports is one of the world’s largest airport operator groups in terms of the number of passengers handled. It manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia and one international airport in Istanbul, Turkey.

       The 39 airports in Malaysia comprise five international airports, 16 domestic airports and 18 Short Take-Off and Landing Ports (STOLports). Its flagship airport, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, is among the region’s preferred aviation hub.- Bernama