Penang Airport operations remain normal despite haze, Jakarta volcanic ash disruptionss

George Town, Penang: Penang International Airport’s flight operations are continuing as normal despite the haze affecting Malaysia and other areas, according to sources. Airport take-offs and landings have not been disrupted so far, and the Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee’s chairman, Wong Hon Wai, confirmed that the state government has been informed.

Wong stated that the government will continue to monitor the situation closely and maintain communication with the airport and airlines to minimize any impact from the haze and unforeseen aviation incidents on Penang visitors and the tourism industry. Following a meeting with new PIA senior airport manager Ahmad Fikri Samsudin, Wong noted that there have been no large-scale strandings of Indonesian passengers at the airport following the cancellation of several Penang-Jakarta flights due to volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption.

Indonesian authorities are monitoring the volcano, which remains at Level III, or Alert, in Indonesia’s four-tier volcano alert system. The state government is also preparing for two new international direct routes set to begin in October. Hainan Airlines will launch a direct service between Haikou, Hainan, and Penang on October 11, while Batik Air will start a direct service between Batam and Penang on October 18.

Penang’s international passenger numbers increased by 11.13% from January to July this year, reaching 2.64 million movements compared to 2.38 million during the same period last year.