GEORGE TOWN: The Penang International Airport (PIA) expansion project, at a cost of about RM1 billion, has kicked off.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who had a meeting with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) officials at PIA on Tuesday, said the project team members had been appointed and that they were now preparing the site for the expansion project.
"The expansion project will be divided into three packages.
"We expect the whole project to be completed in 2028," he said on Facebook.
Package One involves ancillary buildings works and associated works, while Package Two involves the apron and airside facilities works.
Package Three involves the main terminal building and associated work.
It was reported in February that the government had given approval for the PIA expansion and upgrade, expected to cost around RM1 billion, which will be handled by MAHB.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the actual cost of the expansion would only be determined after the tender process, as there were plans to expand and upgrade the facilities and infrastructure near the airport.
Wong said the project team also needed to coordinate with Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd to construct a light rail transit (LRT) station near the airport's main terminal.
The total passenger movement at the airport from January to September this year stood at 5,553,881 people.
This was an increase of 6.78 per cent as compared to 5,201,419 passengers in the same period last year.
"The total passenger movement for PIA was seven million passengers last year. It is estimated to hit 7.8 million passengers this year.
"The airport expansion will cater for 12 million passengers per annum," he added.
As part of the airport optimisation plan, Wong said 10 electronic gates would be added to each of the international departure and arrival areas beginning next month, and that the installation process was anticipated to take four months.
He said 30 more Immigration employees would be deployed to man the counter at the end of November.
He added that the Immigration Department had also set up a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) help desk at the international arrival hall to assist foreigners who needed to fill in the card.
Wong said there several inaugural flights would be taking place between now and the end of the year.
On Oct 29, AirAsia will be flying from Shenzhen to Penang.
On Nov 21, Hong Kong Express will be flying from Hong Kong to Penang.
On Oct 27, Qatar Airways will resume its flight route from Doha to Penang as part of the winter season schedule.
Raya Airways will be launching a new cargo flight route to Penang.
Indigo Airlines is planning to launch a new flight route from Chennai, India, to Penang, pending the arrival of its new aircraft.