Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) is analysing in-depth different aspects including the price of expanding the Pangkor Dalam Airport runway to resume service in Pangkor Island.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the extension would be done as the government and the MAHB analysed this extension based on the type of aircraft that the facility is supposed to use.

“If the aircraft used is the ATR 72 that can accommodate up to 70 passengers, then we need to extend the runway in Pangkor,” he told reporters after officiating the ‘Ceria Kembali ke Sekolah #MYAirportCARES’ programme, in collaboration with the Pangkor state constituency service center, at the 2G Phase Community Hall here.

The 732 meters long runway at Pangkor Airport is in service since 1993, but its flight activities ceased in February 2014.

In October of last year, it was expected to restart operations but it was postponed as safety and technical inspections remain to wait on the runway.

Asked about preparations for the current COVID 19 infection situation, Zambry, who is also an assemblyman for Pangkore, said the MAHB was always ready, especially as the entry points to the country are the airports.

“We will engage in continuous discussion with the National Security Council so that the airports are always properly controlled to ensure that any possible COVID-19 infection can be avoided,” he said.

 MAHB Group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh has reported that the present total airport passenger traffic is 30 to 40% normal and can be lowered by 10 to 15% if travel restriction is re-applied. 

The public also was advised not to worry if they were heading to the airport because MAHB still takes protective steps to avoid the spread of COVID-19.