2 July Penang -As a result of multiple new direct flights, the number of tourists coming to Penang International Airport is increasing, including those from China. To analyze the situation firsthand, State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai took a tour of the airport.
Several tourism industry participants joined him, including Ms Carolyn Leong Penang, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), Dato Tony Goh of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter), Director of Tourism Malaysia Penang Shahrul Aman, and Ooi Cheok Yan, chief executive officer of Penang Global Tourism (PGT).
The airport’s customs and immigration areas are overflowing with tourists as a result of the arrivals’ exponential expansion, particularly during peak hours.
After this, Shenzhen Airlines is anticipated to commence direct flights to Penang on July 27, 2024.
Wong was greeted by officials from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), the Immigration Department, and the Customs Department.
In the meantime, Wong said, “I visited Penang International Airport twice recently,” on his Facebook page. I checked the foreign arrival last Friday and the international departure this morning. I met with representatives of the tourism business, airport immigration, customs department, and Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad.
“We have 290 foreign flights scheduled to arrive in May 2024 and 259 international flights scheduled to arrive in December 2023. That is a 12% increase. According to what I’ve been told, there are more people on each flight of the recent flights due to good loading. Passengers have complained to us about the lengthy wait times in the immigration line.
The immigration counters are where there is a backlog. When I recently met with the Minister of Home Affairs at Sungai Bakap, I brought up this point during our meeting.
Additionally, I’ve let the State Immigration Chief know. We must never back down from the counters, regardless of the volume of people utilizing them. When there is a big line at the counter, it becomes difficult to move quickly because a large line of people has already developed. Additionally, I recommended to the Minister that foreigners be allowed to use automated. The auto gates are currently exclusive to Malaysian citizens. The Minister declared that he would order his staff to review it.
The days leading up to Sunday will be the busiest for foreign arrivals. The busiest days for departures abroad will be Sunday and Monday. There are currently four luggage scanners in use thanks to the installation of three additional ones by airport customs.
“There is more traffic than Penang International Airport can handle. Wong stated, “To handle the increase in passengers, we need every agency to work together.”
In any case, taking care of what we can control is a sensible and much-needed step while we wait for the new airport upgrades and renovations to be ready- Penanghyperlocal.
