Penang, MAHB ramp up plans for new international routes as PIA expansion progresses

File picture of Penang International Airport. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said early planning was crucial to ensure PIA’s additional capacity could be fully utilised once the expansion project is completed within the next two years. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

First Published: Tuesday, 06 Oct 2026 2:24 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 6 — The Penang government will strengthen coordination with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to plan the expansion of international air connectivity in tandem with the ongoing expansion of Penang International Airport (PIA).

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said early planning was crucial to ensure PIA’s additional capacity could be fully utilised once the expansion project is completed within the next two years.

He said the project would increase PIA’s annual passenger capacity from the current 6.8 million to 12 million, creating opportunities to introduce new international routes and increase flight frequencies on existing routes.

“The next priority will be to fully utilise this additional capacity by opening new routes and increasing flight frequencies on existing routes; therefore, it is crucial that we make early preparations at this stage and work closely with MAHB to put the necessary plans in place,” he said in a statement today.

Wong said he recently met MAHB senior officials in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the expansion and upgrading of PIA, as well as the development of new air routes.

He said the Penang government had intensified efforts in recent years to develop direct air links between Penang and major international cities, which had helped boost tourist arrivals while generating wider tourism and economic benefits.

Wong said the Penang government and MAHB would hold regular meetings on route development, aviation market trends and future projects involving PIA.

He also urged MAHB to continue giving attention to PIA’s position as Malaysia’s second busiest airport and further harness its potential as an aviation hub, including through timely sharing of aviation market intelligence and relevant data.

Wong said air cargo also had significant growth potential, given Penang’s concentration of multinational corporations and their increasing demand for international logistics and air freight services.

He said the Penang government had urged the federal government to strengthen the tourism development agenda under Budget 2027, including through an International Air Connectivity Fund with matching grants to attract more direct flights from strategic markets such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Middle East. — Bernama