A study is being carried out through the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) by the Transport Ministry to develop the National Airports Strategic Plan (NASP). 

This will help the government in making developments to airports in Malaysia. The Deputy Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, asked about the government’s plans to expand the Malaysian airports or the possibility of building new ones due to the demand in Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis, said ‘In general, the NASP will outline the long-term plan to develop a more efficient and competitive airport system, as well as provide continuity with the transportation network and enhance connectivity between the various transport modes in Malaysia.’ He added, ‘The 18-month study is expected to be finalised the latest by December 2020.’ 

The first phase of the plan will see the Penang International Airport terminal being upgraded to see its annual handling capacity to 12 million passengers. The Airport’s current capacity is 6.5 passengers. 

Furthermore, the Malaysian government is also planning to expand the Langkawi International Airport to a handling capacity of 4 million passengers annually.  Kamarudin explained, ‘The government has a plan to upgrade the facilities at the airport especially with the construction of an aerobridge to further facilitate the operations of airlines that use wide-body aircraft like the Boeing B787.’ 

Despite being in its early stages, a privately funded project was agreed to by the government to build the Kulim International Airport. Kamarudin said, ‘However, the proposal is still at an early stage and is undergoing the relevant processes before it can be implemented.’