ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia Airline (MAS) is still a favourite choice among air travellers despite stiff competition from other airline companies especially the low-cost airlines.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) senior general manager (operations) Datuk Azmi Murad said the national carrier controlled 65% of the international flights and 35% of the domestic flights in the country.

"This shows that MAS is still a choice among travellers despite facing stiff competitions," Azmi told newsmen after launching the Health and Safety Campaign 2008 organised by MAHB and MAS.

The campaign was to create safety awareness among MAHB and MAS personnel at the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Kepala Batas.

Azmi said the Low Cost Carrier Terminal would be expanded to cater to the increased passenger load and accommodate more low-cost airlines that had expressed interest to set up their bases in the country.

Low-cost airlines currently operating out of the terminal are Air Asia, Air Asia Thailand, Air Asia Indonesia, Tiger Airways and Cebu Pacific.

Azmi said the terminal recorded a total of 7.7 million passengers last year and would hit the 9.7 million mark before the end of this year.

He said that the terminal had a maximum capacity of 10 million passengers and an expansion project would be completed between nine and 12 months' time which could increase the maximum capacity to 15 million passengers.