Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai recently met with senior officials of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to discuss the expansion and upgrading of Penang International Airport (PIA), as well as the development of new air routes.
Wong said the Penang State Government had in recent years continued to deepen its efforts in the international aviation market by actively developing direct air links between Penang and major cities overseas, further strengthening Penang’s international air connectivity.
“This has not only continued to drive tourist arrivals to Penang, but has also helped to unlock the tourism and economic benefits arising from improved air connectivity,” he said.
He said that as the PIA expansion project progresses, the airport’s capacity and route network are expected to be further enhanced.
“Therefore, the Penang State Government and MAHB need to maintain close coordination to ensure that our efforts to expand the international route network are seamlessly aligned with the progress of the airport expansion and move in tandem,” he said.
Wong also called on MAHB to continue giving due attention to PIA’s position as the country’s second busiest airport and to further harness its potential as an aviation hub.
“Through close cooperation between the two sides, we can create more favourable conditions for Penang to further expand its international air connectivity,” he said.
Wong said the meeting had also paved the way for closer and more regular engagement between the Penang State Government and MAHB.
“Going forward, both sides will hold regular meetings to facilitate closer discussions on route development, aviation market trends and future development projects involving Penang International Airport,” he said.
He added that the Penang State Government would also strengthen strategic-level information sharing and decision-making coordination with MAHB.
“This includes the timely exchange of aviation market intelligence and development trends, as well as the sharing of relevant data to provide useful reference for MAHB in formulating its planning and development strategies for Penang International Airport,” he said.
Wong also highlighted the potential for further development in the air cargo sector, given Penang’s concentration of multinational corporations (MNCs) and their growing demand for international logistics and air freight services.
“Therefore, the State Government and MAHB can further explore opportunities in the air cargo sector, taking into account the actual needs of companies operating in Penang and identifying greater potential in the air freight market,” he said.
Separately, Wong said in an earlier interview with Bernama that the Penang State Government had called on the Federal Government to further strengthen the tourism development agenda under Budget 2027, with a focus on enhancing air connectivity, attracting and hosting more international events, and continuing to safeguard George Town’s cultural heritage.
Wong said such investments would bring significant benefits in enhancing the overall value of tourism.
“They would not only help sustain tourism growth, but also enable the economic benefits generated by tourism to flow further into the local economy and communities, ensuring that tourism development delivers tangible benefits to the people,” he said.
One of the key proposals, he said, was the establishment of an International Air Connectivity Fund, including matching grants to attract more direct flights from strategic markets such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Middle East, further expanding Penang’s international air connectivity.
Wong said that upon completion of the PIA expansion project over the next two years, the airport’s capacity would increase from the current 6.8 million passengers to 12 million passengers annually.
“The next priority will be to fully utilise this additional capacity by opening new routes and increasing flight frequencies on existing routes,” he said.
“Therefore, it is crucial that we make early preparations at this stage and work closely with MAHB to put the necessary plans in place. Early deployment and planning are essential to ensure that we are ready to absorb the additional capacity and expand international routes once the airport expansion is completed,” he added.
Wong was accompanied at the meeting with MAHB by Ooi Chok Yan (Chief Executive Officer of Penang Global Tourism) and Pauline Yoon (Senior Manager of Penang Global Tourism). Representing MAHB were Nathalie Jongma (Chief Aviation Development Officer of MAHB), Noor Hafiza Ruslan (Senior Manager of Marketing Communications, Aviation and Development of MAHB), Kamarul Azhar Mohd Kasim (Manager of Hub Development – Airline & Passenger) and Azmannizam Sulaiman (Manager of Hub Development Airline & Passenger Aviation Marketing & Development of MAHB).
Wong Hon Wai
Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy
