Malaysia Re-elected to ICAO Council Affirms Global Aviation Leadership

• Malaysia re-elected to the ICAO Council for 2025–2028, marking its seventh consecutive term.

• Malaysia secures its highest vote count of 154 in the ICAO Council elections, the highest in its history of participation.
• Rises in rankings to 7th place, compared to 13th place in 2022 (136 votes).

AirAsia, Malaysia Aviation Group and Batik Air, representing the nation’s key airline operators, extend their heartiest congratulations to the Government of Malaysia, the Ministry of Transport, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) on Malaysia’s successful re-election to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council as a Part III member for the 2025–2028 term, an achievement that reaffirms Malaysia’s leadership in global aviation.

The elections, held on 30th September 2025, during the 42nd Session of the ICAO General Assembly in Montreal, Canada, saw Malaysia secure 154 votes, earning the seventh seat out of the 14 highly contested Part III positions. This marks Malaysia’s seventh consecutive term on the ICAO Council since 2007, reflecting the international community’s continued trust and confidence in Malaysia’s leadership, expertise, and commitment to advancing global civil aviation.

Notably, Malaysia’s vote count increased from 136 votes in the 2022 ICAO Council elections, when it ranked 13th out of 14 contenders for the Part III seats, reflecting growing international confidence in its leadership. This also represents the highest number of votes Malaysia has received since 2013.

The ICAO Council plays a vital role in shaping international aviation, including establishing safety standards, guiding policy frameworks, and setting strategic priorities for the 193 ICAO Member States. Malaysia’s continued presence on the Council ensures the nation actively contributes to global aviation discussions, championing safety, sustainability, and innovation.

This milestone is a testament to the dedication and leadership of the Ministry of Transport and CAAM, whose tireless efforts to uphold international aviation standards and strengthen Malaysia’s global presence have earned the respect and support of the international aviation community. As part of Malaysia’s aviation family, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), AirAsia, and Batik Air proudly join in celebrating this accomplishment. The milestone underscores the value of collaboration across the industry in enhancing Malaysia’s voice in global aviation.

Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said, “Malaysia’s re-election to the ICAO Council for the new term reaffirms the nation’s standing as a credible and respected voice in shaping the global aviation agenda. This success reflects the confidence of the international community in Malaysia’s ability to play an active role in guiding policy and strengthening cooperation at the highest level of civil aviation. Malaysia Aviation Group is committed to supporting Malaysia in advancing this mandate, while continuing to contribute to international collaboration that enhances resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth in global aviation.”

Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, said: “Travel remains central to connecting economies, trade and cultures worldwide and Malaysia’s stronger mandate at the ICAO elections reflects the world’s growing confidence in our aviation leadership. For AirAsia, it reinforces the role we have played in pioneering low-cost travel and positioning Kuala Lumpur as the world’s leading LCC Megahub. More importantly, it highlights Malaysia’s progress as a champion of affordable, sustainable and inclusive connectivity. Together with our partners in government and industry, we will continue to elevate Malaysia’s response in shaping the future of global aviation.

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy commends Malaysia on this achievement: "Malaysia’s re-election to the ICAO Council is a moment of great pride and a clear affirmation of our nation’s leadership and credibility in global aviation. At Batik Air, we are honoured to play an active role in this journey by connecting communities, advancing industry standards, and delivering service that reflects the very best of Malaysia. This achievement is not only a recognition of our nation’s influence on the international stage, but also a responsibility for all of us in the aviation sector to continue raising the bar in safety, innovation, and operational excellence"

This achievement not only recognises Malaysia’s credibility and professionalism in the international aviation community but also inspires the nation’s airlines, regulators, and stakeholders to continue delivering excellence, connectivity, and innovation - values that define Malaysia’s aviation identity.