BAYAN LEPAS, February 13 — Penang International Airport (PIA) has officially launched its upgraded AutoGate system at 6am yesterday, February 12, 2026 after completing user acceptance tests, making it the second airport in Malaysia after KLIA to implement the new platform.
The system is now available for Malaysian travellers and eligible foreign visitors, with more than 1,800 passengers using the facility for arrivals and departures between 6am and 3pm. Authorities reported a significant reduction in queue lengths, with processing times averaging about 10 seconds per traveller and under five seconds for Malaysians at departure.
For departures, travellers from 72 countries and regions, in addition to Malaysia, are eligible to use the AutoGate facilities. For arrivals, the system is open to Malaysians and citizens from 63 other countries and regions, subject to conditions including prior travel records and submission of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).
First-time visitors and those without biometric passport chips must proceed to manual counters. Currently, five AutoGates are operating at departure and six at arrival, with plans to increase to 12 gates each under a second phase this year to further enhance efficiency ahead of peak travel periods such as Chinese New Year and Hari Raya.
Officials said the automation initiative is aimed at improving passenger flow, reducing congestion, and enhancing the overall travel experience, while manual counters will continue operating alongside the new system to accommodate travellers who do not meet AutoGate requirements.
At the Arrival Hall, the eGate facility is available to Malaysians and travellers from the following 65 countries and regions (excluding first-time entrants): Malaysia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Macau, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey,
The United Kingdom, Ukraine, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Spain, Slovakia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Sweden, Romania, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
For departures, the eGate is open to Malaysians and travellers from 73 countries and regions: Malaysia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Macau, Thailand, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey,
The United Kingdom, Ukraine, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Spain, Slovakia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Sweden, Romania, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
