THE Penang International Airport (PIA) continues to draw foreign and domestic passengers to the state; achieving a total of 1,310,465 passenger flow in January and February this year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said domestic passenger movement recorded 713,165 while foreign passenger movement registered 597,300.
“The PIA recorded 7.79 million passenger movement last year, beyond the airport’s 6.5 million capacity per annum.
“The Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) are currently planning to upgrade and expand the airport. As of now, the proposed expansion is 12 million passenger flow per year,” Chow replying to an oral question by Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Chow said the airport expansion and upgrading works were scheduled to begin in June next year and would take 36 months to complete.
He said two companies – Consortium CPG Consultants Pte Ltd and AHS Architects Sdn Bhd – had been appointed by MAHB on Feb 15 this year via open tender as the project consultants.
“The project consultants are responsible for proposing an expansion and upgrading plan, and to come out with the best design for the project before submitting them to MAHB and the ministry.
“Meanwhile, construction works for the multi-storey parking complex at the airport has started in August last year and will take 14 months to complete.
“Some 1,800 parking spaces will be available to airport visitors upon the completion of Block A (Phase One),” Chow said.
Chow urged the Transport Ministry to conduct a detailed study on the proposed Kulim International Airport (LTAK).
“According to two reports by LTAK project consultant who has conducted a feasibility study of the project, the construction of LTAK will bring a negative impact to PIA and Penang.
“It is important for the Transport Ministry to conduct a detailed study on the proposed Kulim International Airport (LTAK) so that the proposal could benefit all parties,” Chow said.
Responding to an additional question by Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk), Chow said the state hoped to achieve a win-win situation, but not to the extent of receiving a negative impact.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting