Happy Holidays!

Good news for Malaysia holiday makers as Penang International Airport announce that a new local airline company intend to use its Bayan Lapas location as its sole base for all short haul flights.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the airline is negotiating the final steps for it to obtain the permits to set up its base at the airport.

“We hope the company can start operating by April. It will use Penang as its main hub to fly to other parts of the country and to Asian countries,” he told media.

“We hope this [the new local airline] will boost the tourism industry in Penang,” he said.

Asked if the move would affect Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, Chan said: “Healthy competition is good for the aviation industry.”

Chan said that the Penang Government was also working closely with his ministry to turn the airport into a regional hub for budget airlines.