Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) experienced a notable rise in international passenger volumes in April 2025, largely fueled by the introduction of new flight routes and the revival of long-haul services. This included a 13.9% month-on-month growth in passenger traffic between Malaysia and Turkey.

One of the key highlights is British Airways' new daily direct service linking London and Kuala Lumpur, a move that further positions Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as a strategic gateway for long-distance travel in Southeast Asia. In addition, FitsAir from Sri Lanka has started operating four flights per week from Colombo to KLIA Terminal 2, while Myanmar International Airways has launched two weekly flights connecting Yangon and Penang.

Dato’ Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, Managing Director of MAHB, remarked that these additions signal a strong recovery in global travel demand and deeper partnerships with airlines. “By increasing connectivity with major global destinations, we're not only facilitating tourism and business but also reinforcing the operational strength of our airports for both passengers and airline stakeholders,” he said.

To understand how this development is being received on the ground, we spoke with Li Jilu, a Chinese student currently studying at the National University of Malaysia (UKM).

“I think it is very right to expand flight routes, especially between Malaysia and international destinations such as China,” Li said. “For international students like me, it means easier flights home, especially during vacations or emergencies.

Li also pointed out the broader implications beyond convenience. “From an economic point of view, more airlines mean more choices and more competitive prices. But more importantly, the move will help strengthen cultural ties between China and Malaysia and promote opportunities for academic exchanges and business cooperation.”

Looking ahead, he hopes to see more direct connections between Malaysian cities and second-tier Chinese cities, which would open the door for greater people-to-people engagement.

“It's not just about flying, it's about connecting,” he concluded. “Now, Malaysia is moving towards being more open and more global.

Local people also feel the impact. Amirul Amin Suhaimi, a treasury manager at Savana, a mid-sized enterprise specializing in retail logistics and cross-border e-commerce operations, shared how the renewed air connectivity has impacted his work and outlook:

“For companies like ours, which rely on efficient cash flow cycles and timely import-export operations, the increase in direct international flights is a game changer,” Amirul said.

He explained that many of their clients and partners are based in South Asia, China, and the Middle East, and frequent flight delays or long transits used to impact scheduling and financial forecasting.

“Previously, arranging physical business meetings, shipping samples, or even flying executives in and out involved significant delays or costs. With these new direct routes, the lead time is shorter, and that improves both client confidence and internal operations,” he added.

Beyond logistics, Amirul also believes that increased passenger volume and easier access bring wider benefits to Malaysia’s economic ecosystem.So the question is: “When a country's international aviation network expands rapidly, what does this mean for our lives, sense of belonging and future development as foreign students?”

Seeing the expansion of routes from Malaysia's airports, especially the establishment of direct flight connections with more countries, I began to think about the question: behind the convenience of transportation, what are we really getting?

For an international student like me, the new routes mean a closer journey home and symbolize the country's opening up to the world. Not only do I personally benefit, but many more tourists, businessmen, and students are able to move more freely across borders as a result. This is not just an economic boost, but also a connection between people.

In the past, borders were closed due to COVID-19 epidemics, but now that routes have been restored and increased, it's as if the whole world is restarting. It made me realize that aviation is not just a means of transporting passengers, but a bridge between cultures, families and dreams.

When airports are busier, the world is closer. It not only brings convenience, but also reminds us that a world that is open and mobile has more understanding, tolerance and hope.