WITH the increasing number of international direct flights to Penang in the coming months, the Immigration Department has been urged to increase its manpower to address the long queues at Penang International Airport (PIA).
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai emphasised the need for more staff to avoid congestion issues at the airport.
“As far as I am concerned, five international flights departed from Penang yesterday (July 1), resulting in thousands of people at the airport. To make matters worse, the Immigration counters were not fully opened, causing long queues at the departure hall.
“I sincerely hope the relevant authorities will increase the manpower to ensure a smoother procedure can be carried out.
“When the Immigration counters are not fully opened, it causes significant inconvenience to flight passengers. Hence, this shortcoming needs to be rectified,” he added when asked about the passengers’ congestion.
As of May this year, Wong mentioned that PIA handles 290 international flights per week compared to 259 flights per week in December of last year.
When asked about any international flights that are expected to fly in Penang in the coming months, Wong said there are quite a number, namely Shenzhen Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Indigo Airlines, a Hong Kong airline (awaiting green light), and charter flights from Chongqing to Penang.
“I have spoken to the Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to build automatic Customs gate clearance to ensure smooth flow,” he said, adding that the Customs Department has now increased its baggage scanners to four.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi