Loke: Penang airport expansion a priority, but not finalised yet

GEORGE TOWN (September 6): The proposed expansion of the Penang International Airport (PIA) has been placed on the Transport Ministry’s list of projects to implement, but the details have not been finalised yet said minister Anthony Loke. 

The Malay Mail reports that he said his ministry was undecided on whether to integrate a low-cost carrier terminal with the PIA or build one separately in the state.

“There is no final decision on the expansion project, we are only at an advanced stage of looking at proposals for the expansion but PIA is definitely on the ministry’s list for pension as it is now overcapacity,” he said.

Loke pointed out the lack of approval for the LCCT, dismissing news that said otherwise as speculation.

Last month, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the federal government was in discussions with AirAsia on expanding the PIA and building a LCCT.

Lim said the federal government and the Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) must find ways to collaborate with the private sector, as both parties are facing financial constraints.

The expansion was proposed because PIA recorded 7.1 million passengers last year which is above its 6.5 million passenger capacity, and numbers are expected to climb.

Penang state government has asked MAHB and Putrajaya to expand the airport, starting two years ago.