As Merdeka Day approaches, authorities and official agencies are announcing temporary closures and changes to facilitate the celebrations. Amongst the closures announced is the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) airspace closure, which will affect flight times.
On 24th August 2025 (Sunday), Malaysia Airlines (MAS) announced that it has retimed its flight schedules for the coming week, 26th to 31st August, due to a temporary airspace closure around KLIA. The closure is in conjunction with Malaysia’s 68th Merdeka celebration, presumably to facilitate the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s rehearsals for the National Day parade on 31st August (Sunday).
For those wondering, the KLIA airspace closure before Merdeka Day is an annual occurrence. This year, the affected airspace will be closed each day during the six days, from 8am to 12pm. In a statement on its website, MAS has shared the revised schedule for the affected arrivals and departures at KLIA, which includes domestic and international flights. However, the airline didn’t disclose the total number of impacted services.
Passengers departing from KLIA, whether under MAS or other airlines, are advised to arrive at the airport at least four hours before their rescheduled departure time to allow ample time for check-in and document verification. Additionally, MAS reminds passengers to ensure that they have all the required travel documents and to check entry and exit requirements via official sources before their journey.
At the same time, several roads in Putrajaya will be closed from 26th to 29th August to make way for the Merdeka parade rehearsals. A total of 14 roads will be closed from 6am to 12pm, including Lebuh Wawasan, Dataran Putra and Persiaran Perdana. Additionally, from 29th to 31st August, all roads leading to the Putrajaya Core Island will be closed from 10pm. During the National Day parade this Sunday, a total of 16 roads in Putrajaya will be closed.
Whatever your mode of transportation is this week, it’s best to check and clarify if your travel plans have been affected and plan accordingly.
Sources: New Straits Times, Malaysia Airlines, Free Malaysia Today
