GEORGE TOWN – The state government is urging Putrajaya to reconsider the decision to defer the expansion of Penang International Airport to 2023.
This is because the airport’s development plans are already under way, with planning permission approval given in 2019.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in a statement said the decision by the Transport Ministry to postpone the expansion needs to be reviewed by aviation authorities.
“We have accorded the planning permission, so the project is midway into kicking off. Also, we have often lobbied the authorities about it. We await the completion of the National Airports Strategic Plan, but there has not been any positive feedback.”
In view of the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation sector, he said, upgrading and expansion works can be done more quickly as there is a shortfall in passenger load due to travel restrictions.
“Such efforts will help ensure that the airport in Penang is at the best level to meet demand once the interstate travel ban is lifted.”
In 2019, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said it was scheduled to embark on expansion works for the airport by 2020.
Former MAHB group CEO Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin was quoted as saying the process of pre-qualification via open tender to local contractors, to undertake the first stage of the expansion, had started.
“The Penang government has been supportive, including Chow and the Penang Island City Council, by granting us the development (permission) order on December 3, 2019 to proceed with the expansion. We expect to announce the contract award by the first half of next year, and following this, construction will commence soon.”
The airport has exceeded its capacity of 6.5 million passengers since 2016, with a record 8.53 million logged in 2019. – The Vibes, October 7, 2021
