Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) said this was conveyed by the finance ministry.

MAHB group CEO Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin said the company had been working on the expansion project over the past two years and had engaged consultants to draw up detailed construction plans after discussions with the transport ministry, the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and the Penang government.

He said that the plans would be submitted to the Penang Island City Council for approval by the end of July.

Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2020, once approved by the council.

Earlier, The Edge quoted Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow as saying that certain issues had hampered the progress of the airport’s expansion.

Raja Azmi said MAHB was in discussion with various parties on the options for investment and funding models.

He said MAHB was in a position to fully fund the project.

MAHB manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia and one international airport in Istanbul, Turkey.