Raring to get back into the swing of things, PIA is prepared for incoming VTL flights, even now boasting a bigger carpark!

Penang International Airport is officially prepared to welcome in flights under the Penang-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme from March 16, 2022. The airport had gone through the necessary inspections and spatial planning by Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd to ensure smooth facilitation of all incoming flights from Singapore.

“The spatial planning includes designating a dedicated aerobridge and airport apron for passengers to disembark,” said Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.

“PIA has also established a medical lab for Covid-19 swab test purposes,” he said after visiting PIA to inspect the final stages and progress of its VTL preparations.

The Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) had submitted an application to allow for the Penang-Singapore VTL in December last year, hoping for consideration from the federal government as it would greatly benefit the country’s manufacturing landscape.

“The Penang government remains committed to curbing the Covid-19 virus spread to ensure that the Penang-Singapore VTL scheme can yield economic recovery for the state,” Yeoh added.

According to Yeoh, passengers who test negative upon arrival will be allowed to enter Penang while those who test positive will be sent to a special isolation area for further measures.

NEW MULTI-STOREY CARPARK

Penang International Airport looks about ready for a surge of new arrivals and departures with the opening of a new multi-storey carpark that is 99% complete. The new carpark represents more than a tripling in parking capacity over the old one, sure to be a welcome addition to PIA.

The carpark holds 2,200 bays and is expected to be opened to the public this month. Costing RM70 million, the airport’s new carpark is built over the previous one, which had only about 650 parking bays.