Penang International Airport to Launch ‘MyBorderPass’ and E-Gates Soon
GEORGE TOWN, April 2 – The Penang International Airport (PIA) is set to introduce the ‘MyBorderPass’ system and automated e-gates in the near future to streamline immigration and departure procedures for both Malaysians and foreign tourists.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai said the system is currently in the planning phase, with the tender process already underway.
“This initiative will help ease congestion at immigration counters, improve overall processing efficiency, and reduce long queues during peak hours. Visitors from 63 countries and territories will be eligible to use the e-gates,” Wong said in a statement following a meeting with the airport’s management, accompanied by a delegation of Penang tourism industry players.
Currently, PIA is equipped with 35 self-check-in kiosks – 15 allocated to AirAsia and the remaining 20 shared between Scoot, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines.
Wong noted that airport authorities are in talks with other airlines to expand the use of self-service facilities and to ensure the kiosks are strategically placed throughout the terminal.
Additionally, PIA has introduced five new self-service baggage drop counters, which are currently available exclusively for Malaysia Airlines passengers. Discussions are ongoing to extend this service to other airlines.
On the airport’s expansion project, Wong reported that as of mid-March 2025, Phase 1 of construction – which includes new buildings and related works – has reached 32 percent completion and remains on schedule for completion as planned.
Passenger movement at PIA recorded a 17.35 percent year-on-year increase, reaching 1.37 million from January to February 2025, compared to 1.17 million during the same period in 2024.
With the steady rise in passenger numbers and flight frequencies, Wong noted that the current 16 aircraft parking bays are insufficient to meet future demand.
“Under the expansion plan, an additional 12 parking bays will be constructed, bringing the total to 28 bays,” he said.
— BERNAMA
