Penang urges federal govt to give priority to PIA expansion project

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 19 -- The Penang government is urging the federal government to give priority to expansion of the Penang International Airport (PIA) to solve the over-capacity issue.

In a statement today, state executive councillor for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH), Yeoh Soon Hin said the PIA expansion works would have been suitable to continue when Malaysia's borders were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He said the expansion would also ensure the state be ready to welcome foreign tourists optimally and support the recovery process of its tourism industry when the pandemic improves and the international borders reopen fully in the future.

“With PIA exceeding the capacity of 6.5 million passengers since 2016, and a record of 8.53 million passengers in 2019, the airport is overcrowded and would leave an undesirable impression internationally. 

“In addition, PIA also faces insufficient parking space, water leakage and flooding in recent years, which have a serious impact on the state and even the country. Therefore, the expansion is much needed for Penang,” he said.

Yeoh’s statement was in response to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong’s decision to halt the PIA expansion works as well as other upgrading works involving several airports in Malaysia.

According to Wee, it is essential to carry out a study of the National Airport Strategic Plan (NASP) for the federal government to ensure coordination of the air space requirements, due for completion in 2023.

Yeoh agreed that the NASP study might be necessary for the aviation and tourism industry, but he also emphasised that the PIA is a gateway for the northern region.

“PETACH hopes the Transport Ministry would consider Penang a priority to resume with the airport expansion plan following completion of the NASP study, as the expansion would be key towards promoting the state and country’s economic development in the long term,” he said.

-- BERNAMA