Call to relocate airport Build one on man-made island

Call to relocate airport Build one on man-made island in Penang, says developer

THE Federal Government should look into the possibility of relocating the Penang Interna-tional Airport in Bayan Lepas to a man-made island on the coast of Penang.

Penang Real Estate and Housing Developers Association chairman Datuk Jerry Chan said the on-going RM250mil expansion of the airport, when completed next year, would not be able to cater for growth for a very long period.

“When the expanded airport can no longer cater for more growth, another expansion work will be carried out.

“Instead of spending money for further expansion on a piecemeal basis, why not look for a longer term solution such as relocating the airport to a man-made island on the coast of Penang,” he said in an interview.

Chan said the airport would be able to accommodate a new cargo terminal and also a low-cost carrier terminal.

“It will also have runways that can accommodate the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft.

“A key problem of the airport now is that its runway is too close to factories and residential areas,” he said.

Chan said the present site of the airport, which encompasses 900 acres, could be used for industrial expansion.

“The current market value of the airport land is around RM2bil,” he said.

The Penang International Airport, however, must remain within Penang, Chan added.

“This is because Penang is the economic hub for the north. Major multinational corporations, me-dical, education, and tourism businesses are located here,” he said.

Penang Master Builders and Building Material Dealers Association immediate past president Finn Choong said the idea to relocate the airport within Penang should be explored.

“We should not reject the idea outright. As we are moving towards a more modern society, we should look at innovative technologies to build a new airport for the next generation.

“The present airport expansion tackles only ‘cosmetic’ problems of limited car park bays and constraints in passenger space,” he said.

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers northern branch chairman Datuk O.K. Lee however said the relocation of the airport was not a viable idea.

“What is being proposed is an Osaka type of airport, which is very costly to build.

“Who is going to pay for it?

“If this idea is accepted, then someone may even propose that the airport be relocated in Seberang Prai or even in Kedah,” he said.

-News courtesy of The Star-