The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) imposing airspace restrictions around Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport and the Dataran Merdeka zone from 26–31 August 2026 in preparation for Malaysia’s National Day celebrations.
What the Restrictions Cover
The restrictions are in place to support rehearsal flights from 26–30 August and the main flypast on National Day itself — 31 August 2026. During rehearsal windows (typically morning hours between 08:00 and 12:00 local time), CAAM may apply a ground delay programme to arriving international flights if the restricted airspace creates a capacity bottleneck.
On 31 August, the airspace above Dataran Merdeka and a corridor extending toward KLIA will be closed to all non-participating aircraft during the live flypast. International arrivals and departures will be rerouted or held at certain waypoints for the duration of the ceremony.
An additional NOTAM is expected around Malaysia Day on 16 September for the Kuching celebrations in Sarawak, though KLIA disruption on that date is expected to be minimal.
Which Flights Are Most Affected
Morning arrivals into KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are most likely to see delays on 31 August, particularly long-haul flights from Europe and the Middle East that arrive in the 07:00–10:00 window. Airlines including Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia X and Batik Air typically schedule their overnight transatlantic-equivalent routes to land in this window.
If you are arriving on 31 August, allow at least two to three hours of buffer before any connecting domestic flight or onward surface transfer. Arrivals from 13:00 onwards should be unaffected.
Departures from KLIA on 31 August are not expected to be significantly disrupted — the flypast restrictions are primarily an arrival-side issue.
What to Do
- Check your flight status directly with your airline from 29 August, as itinerary updates may be issued with 48–72 hours’ notice.
- If you have an early connection, contact your airline now to ask about alternative departure times or a rebooking to 30 August or 1 September.
- Travellers arriving specifically for the National Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur should factor the arrival delay into their plans for the morning parade and festivities.
Our Malaysia practical guide covers public transport from KLIA including the ERL Express, buses and taxis. For current events during the National Day period, the Kuala Lumpur city guide lists what is happening across the city on 31 August. If you need to rebook or find alternative flights into Malaysia, compare fares and availability across carriers.