Malaysia’s aviation sector steps up decarbonisation efforts

Malaysia Airports and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) are strengthening cooperation on aviation decarbonisation, focusing on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable energy, ground electrification and resource efficiency.

The two organisations jointly hosted Aviation Sustainability Day 2026 at Sama-Sama Hotel, KL International Airport (KLIA), bringing together government agencies, regulators and industry representatives to discuss emissions reduction, waste management and infrastructure requirements.

Malaysia Airports aims to reduce emissions from direct operations and purchased electricity by 45 per cent at KLIA and 30 per cent at its other assessed airports by 2030, compared with 2025 levels.

The airport operator is targeting net-zero emissions from these sources across its airport network by 2040, extending to material value-chain emissions by 2050.

MAG’s Mid-Term Sustainability Roadmap 2026-2035 targets reductions in emissions intensity of 30 to 35 per cent by 2030 and 40 to 45 per cent by 2035. The group also aims to reduce building energy intensity by 20 per cent and achieve a 55 per cent waste diversion rate by 2030.

MAG recently became the first airline group in South-east Asia to receive certification under the Sustainable Procurement module of IATA’s Integrated Sustainability Program.

It was also the first in Malaysia to retire CORSIA-eligible emissions units, with 80,100 units retired towards its Phase 1 compliance obligations.

The collaboration supports Malaysia’s Aviation Decarbonisation Blueprint and national net-zero emissions target for 2050, with both organisations seeking to align infrastructure investments and operational priorities.

Malaysia Airports managing director Mohd Izani Ghani said: “Our respective decarbonisation journeys cannot progress independently. We must ensure that our investments and operational priorities complement one another so that we can achieve meaningful progress together.”

MAG president and group CEO Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar added: “The next step is to turn these priorities into action through stronger partnerships and coordinated implementation across the aviation ecosystem.”