Penang Airport

Really nice little airport. I saw no evidence of building work mentioned by others so it must be finished or nearly so. Easy check in but a little crowded landside. Best to go airside where there are plenty of seats reasonable snack outlets and a pleasant outlook over the runway. Great place to wait.

Still under renovation. Clearly Malaysia Airports (the federal airport authority) has done an extremely poor job choosing and managing the contractors. Almost everything is in such a bad state - check-in counters immigration bathrooms shops eating outlets etc. - compared to most other airports in Malaysia and in the region. May have been less hassle to passengers to just demolish the old airport building and re-build rather than undertake this kind of renovation.

They are virtually rebuilding Penang Airport which is long overdue however they are doing it without any foresight or planning whatsoever. If you are travelling through Penang airport beware. Food choice is very limited indeed as they have not planned anything to continue to serve the customer. It's OK if you are a McDonalds fan. If you are unfortunate enough to arrive when it is raining (often does in Monsoon season) be prepared to get wet! I arrived from Bangkok and we had to wait 40 minutes to get off the plane as there was no air bridge! Ground staff had to find umbrellas and they could only unload a few passengers at a time as not enough for the whole plane. When it has rained and it is dark beware if you have parked a car you will get wet and encounter so many deep water obstacles you will for sure have wet feet. The whole renovation is purely superficial and takes no account of the travelling public.

Have visited Penang between 29 Jun and 1 Jul - major airport renovation was still underway. With the ongoing renovation please note that toilets are limited and please expect longer queues especially for female toilet. Also there are insufficient seats for passengers waiting to board the plane. I will certainly not visit Penang until the renovation is completed. Have had a terrible experience (almost 40 mins) waiting to clear customs i.e. scan passport + belongings (before collecting luggage) - this was terribly long compared to previous years.

Building works in progress - place was a mess. The route to the lounge was changed (now before security check) but the way was not sign-posted and we were not informed at check-in. Gave feedback to lounge staff but said they had complained to Malaysian Airports Authority to no avail. Lounge space was small and food basic.

Even taking into account the rebuild work the place was dreadful. From the unfinished road outside to the filthy toilets this 'new' terminal is undersized and over crowded already. A/C can't cope airside no gate lounges as such so waiting passengers block access to other gates. Was catching an A320 but it is clear with a larger aircraft it would not cope. Very limited refreshments landside and less airside. Avoid if at all possible and bear in mind this is a 'new' building.

This international airport is in a state of refurbishment and is chaotic and poorly organised. Fortunately it is small so there is some limit to the inconvenience. The cleaners are obsessed with vacuum-cleaning carpets continuously so that there are cables and machines in the through ways all of the time and the machine noise is a nuisance and unpleasant as there is no let-up. Note that there are no business class lounges available only vouchers for two retail food outlets and that the wheelchair service needs a wait of 20 minutes.

After long queues for the only lift up to departures we were stuck past security as our departing flight was late. Neither domestic nor international departures areas have any fresh food or alcoholic drinks available whatsoever. A long wait on uncomfortable chairs - we could have got to KL quicker by bus than flying. The airport is a serious disincentive to anyone looking to invest in Penang.

Penang airport is undergoing major renovation at the moment. Things will be a mess for the rest of the year most likely. It is dirty noisy has few options for food (nearly nothing inside security so be sure to eat before you check in) and few places to sit comfortably. Hopefully the renovation will improve this situation but Penang has always been a small dingy regional airport. Take note that most public toilets in Malaysia hose down the entire facility during cleaning. The airport is no different. Thus if you need to change clothes or change a baby you will find it difficult to stay dry.

Having used countless airports world wide Penang airport small and a little old fashioned is a welcomimg efficient airport that provides some relaxation a human touch and I always feel at home when using it which I have somewhere in the region of 60 times for personal flights and countless times sending or receiving family and friends. The staff are helpful and normally smiling and if you are in the know some good eating just outside the departure entrance doors wher the staff eat local foods. A great start to a trip and somewhere to look forward to on return . Parking okay taxis well controlled and priced no touts or big crowds. I am using Hong Kong airport because of location change due to work but my daughter continues to fly to Penang for schooling and loves it.