The convenient city airport has been without regular scheduled jet aircraft service for over 26 years.

Subang Airport, formally known as Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, is set to resume narrowbody jet aircraft operations in August.

Five airlines, including three Malaysian carriers – Firefly, Batik Air Malaysia, and AirAsia Malaysia – will operate Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the airport’s operator, confirmed the resumption, stating preparations are underway through the Operational Readiness Activation and Transition (ORAT).

A MAHB spokesperson highlighted, “We are in the midst of conducting the ORAT right now in preparation for it,” adding it is too early to announce specific airlines. ORAT involves testing airport operations before launching new services to identify and mitigate risks.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), parent company of Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, and MASwings, confirmed their involvement. Firefly will operate B737-800 aircraft, with the group’s spokesperson noting financial performance will be monitored and plans adjusted accordingly. “Firefly has been designated as the vehicle to launch MAG’s jet operations at Subang Airport,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing financial viability.

MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail mentioned that the destinations from Subang would include domestic and ASEAN locations. Malaysia Airlines meanwhile, will continue operations from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.

Firefly currently operates 12 ATR 72-500 turboprop airplanes from Subang and has three B737-800s in its fleet. AirAsia Group CEO Bo Lingam announced plans to begin flights from Subang on August 30, with twice-daily routes to Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport.

Batik Air Malaysia CEO Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy confirmed the airline will fly B737 MAX-8 aircraft to domestic destinations initially, with hopes for more slots at Subang. Both Batik Air Malaysia and Firefly have existing slots at the airport.

Industry sources suggest two foreign airlines will join the operations at Subang, with an announcement expected soon. Speculation includes Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ budget carrier, which may use its new Embraer E190-E2 aircraft for the route.

In May, Scoot CEO Leslie Thng expressed interest in flying to Subang, contingent on the airport’s readiness for jet operations. “Subang Airport is one that we would be interested in, but it depends on when the airport is open for jet operations,” Thng told Business Times.

The resumption of narrowbody aircraft operations at Subang Airport comes 26 years after such operations moved to KLIA in 1998. MAHB senior general manager for strategy, Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin, confirmed that Subang will accommodate B737s, A320s, and A321s.

Subang Airport underwent redevelopment starting in December 2023, with Phase One adding five parking bays for narrowbody aircraft and six for turboprops.