Melaka pushes for three new flight routes via LTAM by end-2026

MELAKA - Three new flight routes, one to an international destination and two to domestic destinations, are expected to open via the Melaka International Airport (LTAM), Batu Berendam here by the end of this year.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the routes are Melaka-Batam, Indonesia, Melaka-Kota Bahru and Melaka-Penang

"The state government is negotiating with several airlines including a low-cost airline to open the three routes to Batam, Kota Bharu and Penang.

"We intend and will try our best to realise them this year but it depends on the assessment of the airlines involved," he told reporters after visiting LTAM in conjunction with the Melaka-Pekanbaru-Melaka flight at LTAM here today.

Also present were deputy exco for Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Datuk Zaidi Attan and general manager of the Melaka Tourism Promotion Division Nasrul Ahmad.

Commenting further, he said the state government is also consulting with the federal government to ensure that the facilities at LTAM could meet the needs of the operations of the airlines involved.

He said the opening of the three flight routes was one of the state government's efforts to promote Melaka as a tourist destination, thus boosting the sector and increasing the state's economy.

He said that although the size of LTAM was smaller than other airports, the facilities were well-managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.

"Although Melaka is small, we have 150 flights a day operated by the Malaysia Flying Academy here and the business of the air routes in the state will increase with the opening of the new flight routes.

"The state's economic vibrancy has attracted many airlines to come and see the potential of Melaka as an aviation hub," he said.

Earlier, he said the visit to LTAM was aimed at seeing improvements that could be made to facilities from various aspects, including the Immigration Department such as check-in services and tourist arrivals. - BERNAMA