GEORGE TOWN (Oct 16): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB)(KL:AIRPORTS) has appointed a team to oversee the Penang International Airport (PIA) expansion project, which comprises three major packages and is scheduled for completion by 2028.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the three packages are buildings works and associated works; apron and airside facilities works package; and main terminal building and associated works.

The MAHB team will coordinate with Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd to construct a Light Rail Transit (LRT) station near the airport’s main terminal, he noted.

“Airport optimisation, including the installation of 10 e-gates in both the international departure hall and international arrival hall, will begin in November 2024, and is estimated to be completed in four months. Additionally, 30 more immigration officers will be deployed to man the counters by the end of November.

“The Immigration Department has also set up a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card helpdesk at the international arrival hall, to assist foreign visitors,” Wong said in a post on his official Facebook account.

Wong had a meeting with MAHB at PIA in Bayan Lepas on Tuesday (Oct 15).

He added that the expansion project falls under the federal government’s purview, and a formal launch ceremony will be held at a later date.

In addition, Wong highlighted the introduction of new routes at PIA this year. AirAsia will launch its Shenzhen-Penang route on Oct 29, HK Express will begin flights from Hong Kong to Penang on Nov 21; and Qatar Airways will resume its Doha-Penang route, as part of its winter schedule starting Oct 27.

“From January to September 2024, total passenger movement reached 5.55 million, a 6.78% increase from 5.2 million passengers in the same period last year.

“Penang International Airport handled seven million passengers in 2023, and it is projected that this number will reach 7.8 million in 2024. The airport expansion will cater for 12 million passengers per year,” he added.

On Feb 27, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that the government had approved the RM1 billion expansion and upgrade of PIA, with MAHB overseeing the project.

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