THE Penang International Airport has upgraded two key facilities to ease travel and movement for all passengers.
This comes despite the expansion drive of the airport, which is scheduled to be completed next year.
State executive councillor for tourism, Wong Hon Wai and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) deputy director-general (management) Ismail Mokhtar told a press conference that there are now five auto (automated) gates to clear foreigners at the immigration checkpoint.
"We have installed the auto-gates, and it is now under a trial run. We hope to have it fully operational by the Chinese New Year. If all works well, passengers can clear the immigration process within six seconds upon submitting their documents," said Wong.
Since last year, Wong has divided attention to clearing the congestion at the airport.
He cited that the airport here receives more foreigners than local passengers.
There would be two systems installed to expedite the clearance of foreign passengers at the airport; one through the auto-gate, which was previously installed for Malaysians, and another through a smartphone.
Ismail said that there are altogether 635 auto - gates installed at various checkpoints for customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ).
It does not just include the airports, but ports, rail and land CIQ facilities, said Razak.
Wong said that the system must be secured, as well as efficient and effective in processing travellers.
The airport now also has a space zone for e-hailing services, led by the market leader - Grab, which has established a waiting lounge for passengers.
Penang Malaysia Airports Berhad (MASB) senior manager Mohd Nadzim Hashim said that the e-hailing waiting area is temporary pending the relocation to a proper and spacious zone once the airport is upgraded.
Penang is directly connected via air from 10 countries and 29 airports, especially from China and India, which form the bulk of foreign tourists here. - January 10, 2026.
