‘Squeezed like sardines’: Long queues at Penang airport spark travellers’ fury

Long queues at Penang International Airport (PIA) lasting three to four hours on Dec 2 have left some travellers less than sanguine about their time on the island. With fewer than half of the immigration counters open that day, long lines of passengers awaiting clearance spanned the length of the arrival hall. Some who were queueing on a stationary escalator with their hand luggage resorted to sitting on the steps, according to social media posts. The situation was much improved on Dec 3, as all 12 immigration counters were in operation, reported Malaysia’s Sin Chew Daily. One traveller arriving in Penang on an international flight told the Chinese-language newspaper that clearing Customs and collecting his luggage took just 30 minutes. Nine international flights arriving on Dec 2 were affected, as only five out of 12 counters were open between 11.40am and 2.30pm, Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai told Malaysian media. The flights originated from places including Singapore, Jakarta and Taipei. Passengers from eight outbound flights were also affected.<br/>
Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/long-queues-at-penang-international-airport-spark-fury-from-travellers
12/3/23