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MELAKA - The Melaka government is actively negotiating with several airlines, including low-cost carriers (LCCs), to launch new domestic and international flight routes aimed at enhancing air connectivity and driving growth in the state's tourism and economic sectors.
State Public Works, Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer said the proposed routes include Batam in Indonesia, Penang, and Kota Bharu, while opportunities are also being explored in Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
"The primary focus of this initiative is to strengthen the regional aviation network and connect high-value tourism and investment markets to Melaka International Airport (LTAM)," he told the State Assembly today.
He was responding to a question from Low Chee Leong (PH-Kota Laksamana) on the state's plans for LTAM over the next five years.
Hameed said the resumption of the Pekanbaru-Melaka-Pekanbaru direct flight operated by Wings Air on June 10 has already contributed to an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, particularly from Indonesia.
The state government is targeting about 700,000 Indonesian tourist arrivals this year, representing an increase of nearly 30 per cent from the 515,086 visitors recorded in 2025.
He added that the Pekanbaru route also serves as an important transit hub for travellers from major Indonesian cities such as Jakarta, Batam, Medan, and Surabaya, providing easier access to Melaka via Pekanbaru.
"The state's air connectivity strategy is focused on expanding health tourism, heritage tourism, and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, while also attracting more foreign investment into Melaka.
"For the Indonesian market, we aim to launch the Melaka-Batam route by the end of this year, while efforts are also being intensified to establish direct connections from major cities in China to Melaka," he said.
Hameed also revealed that discussions are ongoing with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to attract regional airlines to operate flights between Bangkok, Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and LTAM.
Meanwhile, he said the federal government has no immediate plans to extend LTAM's runway, as the existing infrastructure is sufficient to support current operations.
He noted that although LTAM has the capacity to handle up to 500,000 passengers annually, it recorded only 39,222 passengers in 2025.
The airport's existing runway is capable of accommodating Code 4C aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. - BERNAMA
