Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai led a delegation consisting of Penang tourism industry players to Penang International Airport for a meeting with the airport management recently.
The visit aimed to monitor the progress of the airport’s expansion project while providing a platform for direct dialogue between tourism stakeholders and airport management. Discussions focused on optimizing airport facilities and services to bolster Penang’s competitiveness as an international tourism destination.
Among those present were YB Joseph Ng Soon Siang (State Assemblyman for Air Itam), Ooi Chok Yan (Chief Executive Officer of Penang Global Tourism), Datuk Albert Tan Sam Soon (Life Honorary President of Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association), Ben Ho (Vice Chairman of Malaysia Association Hotel – Penang Chapter), Ms. Carolyn Leong Mei Ching (Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents – Penang Chapter), stakeholders of the Penang tourism industry, as well as staff and management of Penang International Airport.
Wong Hon Wai stated, “The expansion project at Penang International Airport is divided into three key phases, which will be implemented sequentially and systematically. Phase One covers the auxiliary building and other associated works; Phase Two involves the construction of airside facilities, pavement works for apron and taxiway and other associated works; Phase Three focuses on the development of the main terminal building and its associated infrastructure works. As of mid-March this year, physical works in Phase One have progressed to 32%, and the overall progress remain on track and it is anticipated to be completed as scheduled.”
He further noted, “The airport’s passenger traffic performance is remarkable. Data shows that from January to February 2025, the total passenger movement at Penang International Airport reached 1,379,084, a 17.35% increase compared to 1,175,211 during the same period in 2024. International passenger movement surged by 22.56% – from 600,084 in 2024 to 735,460 in 2025; while domestic passenger movement also rose from 575,127 to 643,624, an increase of 11.91%. These figures demonstrate that Penang International Airport is steadily establishing itself as a hub for international tourism, with international passenger traffic even surpassing that of domestic travellers.”
“Moreover, according to the latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Penang International Airport has emerged as the second busiest airport in Malaysia in 2024, trailing only Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Among the five busiest airports in Malaysia, Penang International Airport recorded a total of 64,507 aircraft movements, surpassing Kota Kinabalu International Airport (63,822), Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (59,929), and Kuching International Airport (54,969). This leap in ranking further confirms the pivotal role of Penang International Airport within Malaysia’s air transport network and reflects the growing appeal of Penang as a hub for international tourism and business.”
“Furthermore, as of February 2025, the international flight frequency at Penang International Airport reached 320 flights per week, exceeding the pre-pandemic level of 284 flights per week. When compared with 208 flights per week in 2016, this represents a 1.54 fold increase. With the continuous rise in both passenger numbers and flight frequencies, the current 16 aircraft bays are insufficient to meet future demand. Therefore, the expansion plan includes the addition of 12 new aircraft bays – 6 with contact stands and 6 remote bays, boosting the total to 28 aircraft bays, nearly doubling the current capacity. This proactive measure is designed to effectively manage the growing influx of passengers driven by Penang’s thriving tourism industry.
“As the expansion project is led by the Federal Government, the official launch ceremony will be held at a later date under Federal Government auspices. The Penang State Government remains committed to closely monitoring progress and maintaining strong communication with relevant agencies to ensure the smooth execution of the expansion, thereby further enhancing Penang’s position as an international aviation hub.” he said in a press statement.
In addition, Wong Hon Wai explained, “According to the report from airport management, Penang International Airport is now equipped with 35 Self Service Check-In Kiosks to improve the efficiency of passenger check-in procedures. Among these, 15 kiosks are dedicated to AirAsia, while the remaining 20 are currently allocated for Scoot, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines. The airport management is also in ongoing discussions with additional airlines to extend the use of these self-service facilities.
“These 35 kiosks are strategically distributed throughout the airport to effectively disperse passenger flows and prevent overcrowding. Moreover, these kiosks support 9 languages, which are Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Malay, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese, ensuring that travellers from around the world are well accommodated.
“Not only that, the airport has recently added 5 Self Service Bag Drop Counters to expedite baggage drop-off procedures and enhance overall customer experience. Currently, these facilities are available exclusively for Malaysia Airlines passengers. However, airport management is discussing with other airlines to extend this service to a broader range of carriers, allowing more passengers to benefit from easier and more efficient baggage handling.” he added.
Wong also shared that in an effort to further optimize immigration and clearance processes, Penang International Airport will soon introduce the ‘MyBorderPass’ system and Auto Gate facilities for both locals and foreigners.
“Currently in the planning stage with the tender process already underway, these systems are expected to be implemented within the coming months. This initiative will significantly alleviate congestion at immigration counters, enhance overall clearance efficiency, and ensure that travellers no longer face prolonged queues during peak periods. Notably, visitors from 63 countries and regions are eligible to use the Auto Gate system,” he added.