Penang International Airport
Penang International Airport Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang | |||||||||||
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 Passenger terminal after 2012 upgrade | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner | Government of Malaysia | ||||||||||
| Operator | Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad | ||||||||||
| Serves | Penang, Malaysia | ||||||||||
| Location | Bayan Lepas, Penang, West Malaysia | ||||||||||
| Hub for | |||||||||||
| Time zone | MST (UTC+08:00) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 11 ft / 3 m | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  PEN/WMKP Location in Peninsular Malaysia | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (2013) | |||||||||||
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Penang International Airport (IATA: PEN, ICAO: WMKP), previously known as Bayan Lepas International Airport, is situated in the Bayan Lepas area that at southeast of Penang Island, Malaysia. The airport is located 14 km (8.7 mi)[2] away from George Town, the capital city of Penang.
Penang International Airport is a medium-sized airport with good connections to major cities in South East Asia. The airport serves as the main airport for the northern region of Malaysia. Passengers arriving or departing from the north will have a view of George Town, Butterworth and the Penang Bridge. Waiting times for check-in and baggage claims are relatively short compared to other larger regional airports. The airport is not crowded and basic facilities are available for users.
In 2013, over 5.48 million passengers used Penang International Airport. 56,760 aircraft movements were registered.[1] Penang International Airport is the third busiest airport in the country, right after Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and second busiest in terms of international passengers arrival and departures after Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The airport is the hub of two low-cost carriers, namely Firefly and AirAsia.[3]
Penang International Airport won the Best Emerging Airport (Asia) award in the 23rd annual Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards 2009 (AFSCA) and Airport of the Year (below 15 million passenger annually) in the 2009 Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific Aerospace and Defence Awards.
Facilities
There are ongoing discussions between airport operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Ministry of Transportation, and Asia's largest low cost carrier, AirAsia about setting up Malaysia's third low cost carrier terminal at the airport.[4] In October 2008, Firefly was urged by the Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng to build a budget terminal, termed "community terminal" to better cater for the needs of budget travellers. He also called on the Federal Government and MAHB to consider renovating the current airport terminal to higher standards.[5]
Reports in newspapers recently suggest that the new low-cost carrier terminal is approaching final stages. A parcel of land (36 hectares) has been reserved by Penang state government for the purpose. In NCER economic region, there is a proposal to build a new bigger and modern passenger and cargo terminal. An additional runway is also planned to cater increasing air traffic.[6]
In the Mini-budget announced by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also the Finance Minister, on 10 March 2009, RM250 million has been allocated for the expansion of the airport.[7][8]
Airlines and destinations
| Airlines | Destinations | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| AirAsia | Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langkawi, Miri | Domestic |
| AirAsia | Medan, Singapore | International |
| China Airlines | Taipei-Taoyuan | International |
| China Southern Airlines | Guangzhou | International |
| Dragonair | Hong Kong | International |
| Firefly | Banda Aceh, Krabi (begins 15 September 2014),[9] Medan, Phuket | International |
| Firefly | Koh Samui, Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur-Subang, Kuantan, Langkawi | Domestic |
| Hong Kong Express Airways | Hong Kong | International |
| Indonesia AirAsia | Jakarta-Soekarno Hatta, Medan, Surabaya | International |
| Jetstar Asia Airways | Singapore | International |
| Lion Air | Medan | International |
| Malaysia Airlines | Kuala Lumpur | Domestic |
| Malindo Air | Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur-Subang, Langkawi, Johor Bahru (begins 23 July 2014) | Domestic |
| SilkAir | Singapore | International |
| Sriwijaya Air | Medan | International |
| Thai AirAsia | Bangkok-Don Mueang | International |
| Thai Airways International | Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi | International |
| Tigerair | Singapore | International |
Cargo Terminal
Traffic and statistics
handled |
% change |
(tonnes) |
% change |
movements |
% change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2,334,669 |  |
197,567 | |
30,558 |
|
| 2004 | 2,987,993 |  28.0 |
212,369 | 7.5 |
33,069 | 8.2
|
| 2005 | 2,834,545 |  5.1 |
221,971 | 4.5 |
34,616 | 4.7
|
| 2006 | 3,103,772 | 9.5 |
225,952 | 1.8 |
36,259 | 4.7
|
| 2007 | 3,173,117 | 2.2 |
208,582 | 7.7 |
39,265 | 8.3
|
| 2008 | 3,405,762 | 7.3 |
192,936 | 7.5 |
43,796 | 11.5
|
| 2009 | 3,325,423 | 2.4 |
137,775 | 28.6 |
43,621 | 0.4
|
| 2010 | 4,166,969 | 25.3 |
147,057 | 6.7 |
50,205 | 15.1
|
| 2011 | 4,600,274 | 10.4 |
131,846 | 10.3 |
54,713 | 9.0
|
| 2012 | 4,767,815 | 3.6 |
123,246 | 6.5 |
53,766 | 1.7
|
| 2013 | 5,487,751 | 15.1 |
153,703 | 24.7 |
60,020 | 11.6
|
Statistics
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Ground transportation
There are 3 different buses routes that air passengers could board to reach to different parts of the island listed below. 102 is a route to Teluk Bahang, that passes through popular destinations like Gurney Drive and Batu Ferringhi from the Airport. Bus 306 links the airport to the Penang General Hospital through Air Itam, that is relatively near to tourists destination like Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si from a 204 interchange and 401E is the express bus connects the airport to George Town, the state capital and Balik Pulau. Tourists can also opt to buy a weekly unlimited travel pass of MYR 30 at various locations mainly at the Rapid Penang kiosks at airport itself, KOMTAR Bus Terminal, Weld Quay Terminal, Penang Visitor Centre at the Whiteaways Arcade Beach Street, Queensbay Mall, Hard Rock Cafe, Flamingo Hotel and Rainbow Paradise Hotel.
| Route No. | Origin | Via | 'Destinations Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | Teluk Bahang | To Penang International Airport : Teluk Bahang Bus Hub – Jalan Teluk Bahang – Jalan Batu Feringghi – Jalan Tanjung Bunga – Jalan Tanjung Tokong – Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang – Jalan Tanjung Tokong – Jalan Bagan Jermal – Jalan Burma – Jalan Pangkor – Jalan Perak – Jalan Macalister – Jalan Penang – Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong – Jalan Ria – KOMTAR Bus Terminal (Lane 5) – Jalan Magazine – Jalan Dato Keramat – Jalan Air Hitam – Jalan Masjid Negeri – Udini Roundabout – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Bulatan Bayan Baru – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Penang International Airport
To Teluk Bahang : Penang International Airport – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Bulatan Bayan Baru – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal – Jalan Sungai Dua – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Jalan Masjid Negeri – Jalan Air Hitam – Jalan Dato Keramat – Jalan Penang – Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong – Jalan Ria – KOMTAR Bus Terminal (Lane 1) – Jalan Macalister – Jalan Anson – Jalan Perak – Jalan Macalister – Lebuhraya Peel – Jalan Perak – Jalan Pangkor – Jalan Kelawai – Jalan Tanjung Tokong – Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang – Jalan Tanjung Tokong – Jalan Tanjung Bungah – Jalan Batu Feringghi – Jalan Teluk Bahang – Jalan Hassan Abbas,U-Turn – Jalan Teluk Bahang – Teluk Bahang Bus Hub |
Penang International Airport via KOMTAR Bus Terminal (60–80 mins frequency) |
| 306 | Penang International Airport | To General Hospital : Penang International Airport – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Jalan Tengah – Jalan Mayang Pasir – Jalan Mahsuri – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Bayan Baru Roundabout – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Persiaran Bayan Indah – Persiaran Bayan Baru – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Bayan Baru Roundabout – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim – Jalan Paya Terubung – Tingkat Paya Terubung 4 – Tingkat Paya Terubung 2 – Tingkat Paya Terubung 1 – Jalan Paya Terubung – Lebuhraya Thean Tek – Lintang Angsana – Farlim Bus Hub – Lintang Angsana – Jalan Thean Tek – Jalan Air Hitam – Jalan Scotland – Jalan Utama – Jalan Macalister – Jalan Residensi – General Hospital Penang
To Penang International Airport : General Hospital Penang – Jalan Residensi – Jalan Utama – Jalan Scotland – Jalan Air Hitam – Jalan Thean Tek – Jalan Angsana – Lintang Angsana – Farlim Bus Hub – Lintang Angsana – Lebuhraya Thean Tek – Jalan Paya Terubung – Tingkat Paya Terubung 4 – Tingkat Paya Terubung 2 – Tingkat Paya Terubung 1 – Jalan Paya Terubung – Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Bukit Jambul Complex Bus Hub – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Bayan Baru Roundabout – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Persiaran Bayan Indah – Persiaran Bayan Baru – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Bayan Baru Roundabout – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Jalan Mahsuri – Jalan Mayang Pasir – Jalan Tengah – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Penang International Airport |
General Hospital via Farlim Bus Hub (60–80 mins frequency) |
| 401E | Weld Quay (Jetty) | To Balik Pulau : Weld Quay Bus Terminal 1 – Pengkalan Weld – Gat Jalan Magazine – Jalan Magazine – Lebuh Lintang – Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong – Jalan Ria – KOMTAR Bus Terminal (Lane 5) – Jalan Ria – Jalan Magazine – Jalan Penang – Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong – Gat Jalan Prangin – Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway – Persiaran Bayan Indah – Persiaran Bayan Baru – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Bayan Baru Roundabout – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Jalan Mahsuri – Jalan Mayang Pasir – Jalan Tengah – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Penang International Airport – Jalan Bayan Lepas – Jalan Teluk Kumbar – Jalan Balik Pulau – Jalan Sungai Nipah – Pekan Genting Bus Hub – Jalan Balik Pulau – Jalan Tun Sardon – Balik Pulau Bus Depot/Terminal
To Weld Quay : Balik Pulau Bus Depot/Terminal – Jalan Tun Sardon – Jalan Balik Pulau – Jalan Sungai Nipah – Pekan Genting Bus Hub – Jalan Balik Pulau – Jalan Teluk Kumbar – Jalan Bayan Lepas – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,U-Turn – Penang International Airport – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah – Jalan Tengah – Jalan Mayang Pasir – Jalan Mahsuri – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Hub Bus Bukit Jambul – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Bulatan Bayan Baru – Jalan Tun Dr. Awang – Persiaran Bayan Indah – Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway – Gat Jalan Magazine – Jalan Magazine – Lebuh Lintang – Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong – Gat Jalan Prangin – Pengkalan Weld – Pesara King Edward – Pengkalan Weld – Weld Quay Bus Terminal 1 |
Balik Pulau via Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway (30–40 mins frequency – free WiFi on board) |
References
- ^ a b Penang International Airport at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
- ^ a b WMKP – PENANG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT at Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia
- ^ "AirAsia to turn Penang into fourth hub in Malaysia". The Star. 8 July 2009.
- ^ "Talks on low cost carrier terminal in Penang". The Star. 8 February 2007.
- ^ "Build Terminal, Airline Urged". The Star. 28 October 2008.
- ^ "Syor bina terminal kos rendah di LTABL". Berita Harian. 3 April 2007.
- ^ "Highlights Of The 2009 Mini-Budget", "My Sin Chew", 10 March 2009
- ^ "A shot in the arm for Penang", "Business Times", 12 March 2009
- ^ http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/05/19/Firefly-expands-ops-It-plans-to-add-five-new-destinations-in-next-three-years/
- ^ EVA Air Cargo Schedule
- ^ "MAHB Annual Report 2012" (PDF). MAHB. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
External links
- Penang International Airport at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
- Current weather for WMKP at NOAA/NWS
- Accident history for PEN at Aviation Safety Network
- Penang Sentral Global Website