Penang International Airport Named CAPA Asia Small/Medium Airport Of The Year

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Penang International Airport (PIA) has won the CAPA, Centre for Aviation’s Asia Small/Medium Airport of the Year award in recognition of its operational efficiency, innovative services and contribution to regional economic growth.

Malaysia Airports, in a statement today, said PIA serves as a key gateway to northern Malaysia, providing vital connectivity to support tourism, trade and investment.

The airport handled four million passenger movements in the first half of this year, comprising 2.2 million international and 1.8 million domestic movements. As of September, 27 airlines operated services connecting Penang to 22 destinations.

Malaysia Airports managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said Penang was not only an important tourism destination but also central to Malaysia’s ambition to lead the region in high-value manufacturing

“We understand Penang’s development ambitions. Beyond its appeal as a tourist destination, the state is central to Malaysia’s ambition to lead the region in high-value manufacturing. Its airport must provide the connectivity and capacity to support that growth.

“That is why we are approaching the airport’s expansion as part of Penang’s wider infrastructure development. We are investing to meet the needs of industries, investors and communities, while giving airlines room to grow,” he said.

The award was presented at the CAPA Asia & Environmental Sustainability Awards for Excellence in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, on Oct 1, during the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia.

Mohd Izani said the award recognised the efforts of the airport team and its partners, adding that Malaysia Airports would continue improving PIA to support Penang’s growth.

According to the statement, expansion works are ongoing at PIA to increase its annual passenger handling capacity from 6.5 million to 12 million.

The project includes expanding the main terminal and aircraft apron, as well as supporting infrastructure to accommodate more passengers and aircraft.

The additional capacity is expected to support Penang’s tourism sector and international business links, particularly in manufacturing and investment.

PIA is also working with airlines and tourism partners to expand its route network, with the increased capacity expected to offer more travel options and strengthen northern Malaysia’s access to international markets.

-- BERNAMA