Malaysia Airlines announced that it will retime flights from August 26 to 31 as KLIA’s airspace closes for daily Merdeka celebrations, with delays and diversions expected to affect multiple carriers.

Malaysia Airlines will adjust its flight schedules from August 26 to 31, 2025, as the airspace surrounding Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) closes daily from 8 a.m. to noon for the 68th Merdeka celebrations.

In its advisory, the airline stated that both departures and arrivals at KLIA are affected. Passengers are urged to arrive four hours before their newly confirmed departure times to allow for check-in and document verification. Although a list of affected flights by date has been published, Malaysia Airlines has not disclosed the total number of services impacted.

The airline also reminded passengers to ensure they carry all required travel documents and to verify entry and exit requirements through official channels before travelling.

REASON FOR THE AIRSPACE CLOSURE

The restriction is linked to preparations for the Merdeka Day flypast, a highly visible aerial display. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, sections of Kuala Lumpur’s Terminal Control Area will be closed to fixed-wing operations during the period, covering both rehearsals and the main event.

To maintain safety, airlines are advised to schedule arrivals and departures outside the closure hours, with carriers instructed to carry sufficient extra fuel for potential holding patterns. Subang Airport will remain open as a diversion point, though some delays are still expected.

IMPACT ON OTHER AIRLINES

While Malaysia Airlines has issued the primary advisory, other operators such as AirAsia, Batik Air, and international carriers will likely implement schedule adjustments, as well. Specific announcements from these airlines had not yet been released at the time of this article’s publication, but disruptions are anticipated across the board.

This type of airspace restriction is not new to the aviation industry. Earlier this year, Malaysia Airlines rerouted flights to Europe after Pakistan closed its airspace, while Batik Air suspended its Amritsar service altogether. AirAsia X also altered routes to Jeddah and Medina during temporary Middle Eastern airspace closures. International carriers including Singapore Airlines, Air France-KLM, and British Airways have faced similar diversions in recent months.

These examples illustrate how airspace closures, whether for security, geopolitical reasons, or national events, can cause significant ripple effects on scheduling, operating costs, and passenger convenience.

ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS

Passengers travelling during this period should:

• Arrive at KLIA four hours before rescheduled flights
• Check flight status frequently via official airline channels
• Be prepared for possible delays or diversions
• Note that Subang Airport may be used as a diversion point
• Understand that even non-Malaysia Airlines flights may experience delays due to overlapping airspace coordination

Sources

• Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (AIP Supplement 37/25)
• Malaysia Airlines official advisory
• Malay Mail, Bernama, Business Today, The Star, Scoop.my