cannes_2025_TUESDAY_ISSUE_DIGITAL

T he Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) ‘Commercial Reset’ spans everything from tenant mix, zoning and design to digitalisation and service innovation. It is about reimagining MAHB’s airport spaces to be more passenger-focused, experience-led and commercially vibrant. “We’re targeting a 37% uplift in rental income by 2025 and we’re almost there, with 90% already completed,” explains Hani Ezra Hussin, Senior General Manager of Commercial, MAHB. “The strategy includes refreshing our retail and dining mix, bringing in premium brands and embedding Malaysia’s rich cultural identity throughout.” Travellers can already see this taking shape with curated experiences like Kitchen by OpenHouse and Petit Café Chef Wan, alongside global names like Jamie Oliver, Charlotte Tilbury and Läderach. “We’ve also strengthened our local presence through artisanal pop-ups, cultural showcases and our Sense of Malaysia stores at KLIA, Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, featuring local icons like Borneo Pearls and Royal Selangor,” says Hani Ezra. “Ultimately, we’re building airports that go beyond function, destinations that celebrate Malaysia with a global twist.” MAHB is reshaping its retail strategy to better reflect the needs of today’s travellers, particularly Gen Z, millennials and growing markets like China and India. This involves curating the right brand and product mix, adjusting layout strategies, and creating digital content that connects across cultures. “Among Chinese travellers, we have seen a shift as younger, more independent passengers are returning with a more budget conscious mindset,” Hani Ezra shares. “While average spend per passenger has declined, they remain highly interested in beauty and luxury, especially duty free and travel exclusives from Dior, Chanel, Estée Lauder and Bvlgari. To cater to this, we have strengthened our focus on these categories by elevating the brand experience through initiatives such as live makeup demonstrations and hand massages, introducing bespoke gifting with purchase, and enhancing brand visibility in key areas. We also localise our messaging through platforms like Xiaohongshu to stay top of mind with this segment.” In contrast, Indian travellers are showing strong growth in both volume and retail spending. “Liquor remains a top category of interest, particularly whisky and vodka, and we have responded by widening our offerings and enhancing accessibility through better zoning,” says Hani Ezra. “At the same time, we have added more vegetarian dining options with brands like Taste of India, Grandmama’s and Nooodles to reflect evolving dietary needs.” To complement this retail strategy, MAHB’s digital efforts focus on building excitement before passengers even step into the terminal. Malaysia Airports’ ‘Commercial Reset’ reimagining airport spaces to be more passenger-focused, experience-led and commercially vibrant Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) is undergoing a ‘Commercial Reset’ which is reimagining its airport spaces to be more passenger-focused, experience-led and commercially vibrant. In this interview, Hani Ezra Hussin, Senior General Manager of Commercial, shares howMAHB is building airports that go beyond function, becoming destinations that celebrate Malaysia with a global twist. Hani Ezra Hussin, Senior General Manager of Commercial, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad: “We’re targeting a 37% uplift in rental income by 2025 and we’re almost there, with 90% already completed. The strategy includes refreshing our retail and dining mix, bringing in premium brands and embedding Malaysia’s rich cultural identity throughout.” At KLIA, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad creates a special mix of Malaysia’s heart and soul with global brands that travellers know and love. Sense of Malaysia stores, found at KLIA, Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching, bring over 50 local brands to life. At the same time, KLIA Terminal 1’s Eraman Duty-Free Mall offers over 550 global brands. Tuesday 30 September 2025 30 T F W A D A I L Y