GEORGE TOWN, December 1 – The Penang International Airport (PIA) expansion project, valued at RM1.55 billion, is set to double the airport’s capacity to 12 million passengers annually, according to state exco Zairil Khir Johari. The current capacity is 6.5 million passengers per year, with total passenger arrivals reaching 2.73 million between January and September 2024. Of this, 1.39 million were international passengers, while 1.34 million were domestic.
Zairil outlined that the expansion project, fully funded by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, will be carried out in three phases. These include building upgrades, infrastructure work at the airside and apron, and enhancements to the main terminal. The project was officially awarded in July 2024, and upon completion, will feature a remote digital virtual tower and improvements to traffic dispersal in the Bayan Lepas area to ensure smoother access to the airport.
Currently, PIA offers 19 direct flights to and from cities in Singapore, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Middle East. The expansion aims to cater to the growing demand for air travel to and from Penang, positioning the airport for increased international and domestic traffic.
