JOHOR BARU: The surge in air traffic at Senai International Airport is driven by positive consumer sentiment and Johor's unique appeal as a destination for tourism and business opportunities.
Johor Trade, Investment, and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said that the state was increasingly attracting visitors, including those seeking business prospects, due to the numerous investment opportunities in Johor.
"Tourism is another significant factor contributing to the rise in air and foot traffic," he said, adding that Johor had diverse offerings, from recreational and cultural attractions to medical and retail tourism.
"Johor's strategic location also plays a crucial role," he said in an interview with the New Straits Times.
As the state gears up for Visit Johor 2026, visible upgrades are taking place.
Senai Airport recently completed an RM11.9 million expansion project, increasing its passenger handling capacity from 4 million to 5 million annually, with further plans to expand to accommodate up to 7 million passengers.
Lee said that discussions were ongoing with aviation companies to increase flight frequencies and routes to Johor.
Business Times previously reported a 14 per cent year-on-year growth in air traffic at Malaysia's international airports, with Senai International Airport leading the way with a 37 per cent increase in international passenger traffic.
The airport outpaced Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Penang International Airport, and Kota Kinabalu International Airport, all of which saw over 20 per cent increases.
Senai International Airport CEO Kennedy Ayu attributed this success to Johor's robust economic environment.
He acknowledged Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi for his role in attracting foreign investment, which has been key to driving the state's growth and prosperity.
Kennedy also said Johor's strategic location, modern infrastructure, and diverse economy – characterised by a strong manufacturing base and a thriving services sector – as critical factors in the airport's passenger traffic growth.
He anticipated further increases in both foreign and domestic direct investments, which will continue to boost passenger traffic in the coming months.
Despite the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry, Senai International Airport has recorded a 37.5 per cent growth in passenger traffic as of Aug 26.
Domestic traffic has reached 77 per cent of pre-Covid levels, while Asean routes have fully recovered, achieving 120 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Remarkably, international traffic has surged by 207 per cent year-on-year.
Kennedy credited the growth to the increased flight frequencies and expanded routes by airline partners such as AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, TransNusa, and Firefly.
He also expressed his gratitude to the state government, passengers, airline partners, and airport staff for their contributions to the airport's continued success.