Any development of the new airport, including the expansion and upgrade of the Penang International Airport (PEN), will only be considered once a study is completed by the National Airports Strategic Plan (NASP).
In a written reply to Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru), the Transport Ministry said a report was scheduled to be completed by 2023 with respect to the national transport policy for the construction of airports and STOLports.
“The study is aimed at determining the direction of airport development in Malaysia in terms of their role, airspace requirements, as well as economic and strategic considerations so that the development of each airport is done based on actual needs,” the ministry said.
It noted that tourism and aviation were among the worst affected by COVID-19, leading to market uncertainty that exacerbated the weighting of risks in the aviation sector.
“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country's economy and the global economy, particularly changes in the tourist demand pattern and aviation sector, would require a recovery period estimated to take a further two to three years,” it added.
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