Govt exploring alternative transit routes, Asian markets to keep VM2026 on track

2026-03-23 - 04:31

More than 37,000 flights to and from the Middle East have been cancelled since the US-Israel strikes on Iran began on Feb 28, removing roughly 4.4 million seats from the market. (Envato Elements pic) PETALING JAYA: The government is studying alternative flight transit routes and strengthening its focus on Asian markets to ensure a stable flow of international tourists amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, says the tourism, arts and culture ministry. The ministry’s deputy secretary-general, Chua Choon Hwa, said these measures are part of efforts to safeguard the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, even as traditional Middle East routes face temporary disruptions. “Transit in the Middle East is currently somewhat disrupted, so we are looking at ways to overcome the situation, including using certain transit airports to avoid the affected areas,” he told reporters after an Aidilfitri celebration at KLIA Terminal 1 today, Bernama reported. Chua said tourist arrivals up to February have shown encouraging growth, rising more than 30% compared with the same period last year He said global uncertainties may also create new opportunities for Malaysia to attract tourists who postpone long-distance trips and opt for closer destinations. “Sometimes, when distant destinations are unstable, tourists will look for closer options. This could be an opportunity for Malaysia if the strategies implemented are appropriate,” he said. However, he said any adjustments to the strategy will be data-driven, ensuring that VM2026 targets remain realistic and achievable. “Although we see certain disruptions, we are still going all-out, not only to ensure that the set target can be achieved, but also striving for better performance if conditions allow,” he said. The VM2026 campaign is targeting 47 million international arrivals and RM329 billion in revenue. Since the US-Israel strikes on Iran began on Feb 28, over 37,000 flights to and from the Middle East have been cancelled, removing roughly 4.4 million seats from the market and stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers across the Gulf. Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, the three hardest-hit hubs, handle about 90,000 transiting passengers a day and connect Europe to Asia, Australia and Africa. With the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed, jet fuel prices have soared, resulting in significant increases in ticket prices, particularly for international flights.