Thursday, May 7, 2009

Bayan Lepas airport upgrade to take 2 years

THE RM250 million project to upgrade the Bayan Lepas International Airport (BLIA) will begin at the year-end and is expected to be completed in two years.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project, to be carried out in stages, included expanding and upgrading the airport's passenger terminal, building a multi-storey car park and improving the security aspects.
"The expansion and upgrading of the airport is necessary as it cannot cater to more flights which have already seen an increase," he said after visiting the airport, in Penang, yesterday.
Lim said BLIA handled more than 3.4 million passengers, 193,000 tonnes of cargo and 39,798 flights last year.

He said BLIAS also recorded a profit of RM493.3 million between 2000 and 2008 or about 23 per cent made by Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad.

Lim also repeated his call for a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) to be built in Penang due to the increased demand for air travel and to make Penang an important low-fare air travel hub in the region.

He said that according to AirAsia's forecast, about 1.7 million people would use Penang for low-cost air travel in 2009 and the number was expected to increase to 3.8 million in 2013. - Bernama

3 comments:

HL said...

This is a good approach to improve Penang's tourism. A good airport always the 1st impression to the tourist. Still remember the Koh Samui's airport ? A relax one

BH said...

Yaya, KS's airport is very much country style airport with nice and relax environment...not forgetting free hot/cold drinks and snacks!

HL said...

yes .. love the country style airport, the 1st impression that given to me was .. I am on my vacation !!!