PENANG's international airport is witnessing a remarkable growth with data on passengers reflecting the state's strong growth numbers, justifying current expansion plans.
State Exco for tourism, Wong Hon Wai said from January to February 2025, total passenger movement at the Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas reached 1,379,084, marking a 17.35% increase compared to 1,175,211 in the same period last year.
A notable achievement is that international passenger movement surged by 22.56%, rising from 600,084 last year to 735,460 this year, while domestic passenger movement increased by 11.91%, from 575,127 to 643,624.
“These figures show that PIA is steadily establishing itself as a hub for international tourism, with international passenger traffic even surpassing that of domestic travellers,” Wong said in a press release.
According to the latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Penang International Airport ranked 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 confirms PIA's pivotal role in Malaysia’s air transport network and reflects the growing appeal of Penang as a hub for international tourism and business," said Wong.
As of February 2025, international flight frequency at PIA reached 320 flights per week, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 284 flights per week.
Compared to 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 – six with contact stands and six 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.”
He made these observations after an official visit to the airport where he was briefed by Malaysian Airports Berhad (MAB) on the expansion progress.
Three key phases
The expansion project at PIA is divided into three key phases, which will be implemented sequentially and systematically.
Phase One covers the auxiliary building and associated works; Phase Two involves the construction of airside facilities, pavement works for the apron and taxiway, and other associated works; and Phase Three focuses on the development of the main terminal building and its associated infrastructure.
As of mid-March this year, physical work in Phase One have progressed to 32%, and the overall progress remains on track.
The progress of the expansion project, undertaken by the Federal government, is being closely monitored by the state government to ensure smooth execution and strong communication between relevant agencies.
The new amenities now at PIA include 35 self-service check-in kiosks to enhance passenger check-in efficiency,
Fifteen are designated for AirAsia, while the remaining 20 are currently allocated for Scoot, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines' airliner operators out of PIA.
“These 35 kiosks are strategically positioned throughout the airport to optimise passenger flow and prevent overcrowding. Moreover, these kiosks support nine languages, namely Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Malay, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese, ensuring that travellers worldwide are well accommodated,” Wong said.
MAB has also introduced five Self-Service Bag Drop Counters to expedite baggage drop-off procedures and enhance the overall customer experience.
Currently, these facilities are available exclusively for Malaysia Airlines passengers, though discussions are underway to extend this service to other airlines, benefiting a wider range of travellers.
PIA will soon implement the ‘MyBorderPass’ system and Auto Gate facilities for both locals and foreigners to streamline immigration and clearance processes.
“These systems are expected to be in place within the coming months. This initiative will significantly reduce congestion at immigration counters, improve clearance efficiency, and ensure that travellers no longer face prolonged queues during peak periods. Notably, visitors from 63 countries and regions will be eligible to use the Auto Gate system," he said. - April 4, 2025.
