Penang International Airport (PIA) has won the CAPA – Centre for Aviation’s Asia Small/Medium Airport of the Year award, which recognises the airport’s operational performance, its passenger services and its contribution to regional economic growth, Bernama reported. The award was presented at the CAPA Asia and Environmental Sustainability Awards for Excellence in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, on 1 October, during the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia.
In its citation, CAPA said the airport stands out among regional peers for combining rapid traffic growth with high levels of customer service while keeping a high standard of operations. The awarding body described PIA as Malaysia’s second-largest gateway and the country’s leading airport by value, and as a critical logistics point for the region’s electronics and semiconductor industries.
The airport handled 4 million passenger movements in the first half of 2026, comprising 2.2 million international and 1.8 million domestic movements. As at September, The Star noted, the airport was served by 27 airlines connecting Penang to 22 destinations.
Malaysia Airports managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the award recognises the efforts of the airport team and its partners. “We understand Penang’s development ambitions. Beyond its appeal as a tourist destination, the state is central to Malaysia’s ambition to lead the region in high-value manufacturing. Its airport must provide the connectivity and capacity to support that growth,” he said.
Expansion works are under way at PIA to lift annual passenger handling capacity from 6.5 million to 12 million. The project covers the main terminal, the aircraft apron and supporting infrastructure, and is designed to accommodate more passengers and aircraft. Malaysia Airports said construction is being coordinated around airport operations to maintain service for passengers and airlines.
CAPA also pointed to the infrastructure programme owned and run by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, which will double the airport’s maximum annual capacity through terminal and airside upgrades alongside Malaysia’s first remote digital virtual tower. The additional capacity is expected to support Penang’s tourism sector and its international business links, particularly in manufacturing and investment.
Malaysia Airports said it is working with airlines and tourism partners to expand Penang’s route network, with the added capacity expected to offer travellers more options and strengthen northern Malaysia’s access to international markets. Izani said the airport’s expansion is being treated as part of Penang’s wider infrastructure development, so the terminal can keep pace with the state’s ambitions.
CAPA’s 2026 Asia Aviation Awards, also presented at the Chitose summit, named Cathay Pacific Airways as Asia Airline of the Year and Seoul Incheon International Airport as Asia Large Airport of the Year. Former Malaysia Aviation Group chief executive Datuk Captain Izham Ismail received the lifetime achievement award.
