Plans for a new LCCT in Penang, says Guan Eng

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 6): The government is looking to build a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) next to the Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas in one to two years, to cope with the increasing number of air passengers to the state.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the federal government is in talks with AirAsia Group Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd on the proposed project.

"It would take about one to two years to build a LCCT, while the expansion of the main airport (PIA) would take longer," he told reporters when approached at Penang State Legislative Assembly building today.

Nevertheless, he said the state must wait for the outcome of the talks on the proposed project.

"The talks (with AirAsia and MAHB) have been positive. We are considering expanding the airport through the public-private partnership (PPP) model," he added.

Earlier, Lim (DAP-Air Putih) during his debate of thanks to the Governor, reportedly said the airport expansion project would be fully funded by private companies as the federal government can't afford to fund it for the time being.

He said the situation has forced the government to find new ways such as collaborating with private companies to build the new LCCT, as well as to expand PIA.

The current airport has approached its maximum capacity of 6.5 million passengers per year, handling about 7.1 million in arrivals. — theedgemarkets.com

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