Langkawi International Wins ‘Best Airport in Asia Pacific’ for 3rd Year

By Len Varley - Assistant Editor 4 Min Read
4 Min Read
View across Langkawi International Airport tarmac.
Photo Credit: Malaysia Airports

Langkawi International Airport (LGK) has cemented its reputation as a leader in passenger experience.

The airport won the coveted 2023 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for Best Airport of 2 to 5 Million Passengers in Asia-Pacific for the third consecutive year.

This recognition is presented by Airports Council International (ACI) World, and highlights LGK’s growing regional success.

The ASQ program is the industry benchmark for airport customer experience. Its rigorous methodology involves on-site surveys that assess passenger satisfaction across over 30 key areas.

With more than 400 airports participating and nearly 600,000 surveys collected in 2023 alone, the program offers valuable insights for continuous improvement.

Langkawi Airport as an International Hub

“This prestigious award is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the LGK airport community in delivering exceptional service,” said Malaysia Airports’ Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Rastam Shahrom.

“As Langkawi continues to attract international travelers, with new routes like flydubai’s Dubai-Langkawi service, maintaining a top-notch passenger experience is crucial.”

“It leaves a positive impression of Malaysia and contributes to Langkawi’s journey as an unparalleled destination.”

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira echoed these sentiments, congratulating LGK and underscoring the importance of customer service in today’s aviation industry.

“The program’s global reach reflects its credibility. In a time of evolving passenger expectations, exceptional service isn’t just a goal; it’s essential to transforming airports from gateways into memorable destinations.”

View over tarmac of Langkawi International Airport
Hzh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Malaysia Airports’ Performance

This commitment to excellence is reflected in Malaysia Airports’ recent performance. February 2024 saw local airports record a record-breaking 7.8 million passengers. With 4 million international, and 3.8 million domestic passengers, this marks a 95.8% recovery compared to February 2019.

This surge is attributed to factors like school holidays, festive celebrations, and the introduction of new airlines and routes.

Local airports were instrumental in this success, contributing 71% of total passenger movements, or 11 million.

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), part of the Malaysia Airports portfolio, also saw impressive growth.

It handled 3.2 million passengers in February 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 27.4%. Batik Air’s new four-weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and SAW further strengthened this connection.

The international sector served as the primary growth catalyst, registering 1.7 million passenger movements at SAW. At the same time, the domestic sector saw 1.5 million passenger movements.

This expansion not only enhances the air link between Malaysia and Türkiye but also establishes SAW’s longest route and first connectivity to the Far East.

View across Langkawi International Airport tarmac.
Photo Credit: Malaysia Airports

Summary: Langkawi Air Tourism

Langkawi Island is experiencing a resurgence as a top tourist destination, fueled in part by the increasing number of international air routes.

This trend is evident in Langkawi International Airport’s (LGK) impressive passenger numbers and its recent win of the 2023 ASQ Award.

The introduction of new airlines, like flydubai’s Dubai-Langkawi connection, directly caters to international travelers.

This makes Langkawi more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, it highlights the growing appeal on the global tourism map.

As passenger traffic soars, Langkawi stands to benefit significantly. Increased international air travel brings a boost to the local economy, with tourism playing a major role in Langkawi’s development.

This creates a positive cycle, where exceptional service at LGK builds reputation. The recent ASQ Award further enhances Langkawi’s reputation as a must-visit destination.

This focus on passenger experience and strong performance positions Langkawi International Airport and Malaysia Airports for continued success in the future.


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By Len Varley Assistant Editor
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Now the Assistant Editor with AviationSource, I have almost 40 years' experience in aviation, starting in Australian flight crew and training. I worked as CFI/Chief Pilot with 2 organisations and was also a CASA approved testing officer and aeronautics lecturer. This led to components procurement for civil operators and the RAAF, and then maintenance programming with a global airborne geo-survey operator.