KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Demand for air transport is expected to increase by an average of 4.3 per cent annually over the next 20 years due to a rebound in the airline industry, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
This will create 15.5 million direct job opportunities and contribute US$1.5 trillion (RM6.45 trillion) to the global gross domestic product by 2036.
“We expect to see a year-on-year increase of 10.4 per cent in total passenger numbers globally for 2024, as the airline industry has experienced a remarkable rebound, surpassing pre-pandemic air traffic levels.
“Here, in Malaysia, our aviation sector is set to experience a four per cent growth in overall passenger movement, driven by fleet expansions and the return of foreign airlines,” he said when officiating the International Civil Aviation Negotiation 2024 event hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) today.
Also present were ICAO president Salvatore Sciacchitano and Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan.
Loke added that 8.7 million passengers were recorded in August this year, marking a robust 12.7 per cent increase from the previous year.
He expects air cargo to register a six to 6.6 per cent year-on-year growth for 2024, amounting to roughly 20 billion freight tonne-kilometres.
“This growth is driven by factors such as the recovery in China, an upturn in the global technology cycle and economic stabilisation,” Loke said.
Commenting on the new minimum wage announced under Budget 2025 during the press conference after the event, he said that it did not affect the aviation sector since the sector’s minimum wage exceeded the figure.
“In aviation, the minimum wage is already more than RM1,700 because this sector involves a lot of technical work, which requires a skilled and trained workforce.
“At present, the minimum wage is more than RM2,000 for workers in the aviation sector,” Loke said.
When tabling Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (October 18), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government had agreed to raise the rate of minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700 per month effective February 1, 2025.
— Bernama
The post Air transport demand set to increase 4.3 pct on average — Minister appeared first on Selangor Journal.
