PIA Begins Testing New NIISe Autogate System

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Penang International Airport (PIA) has begun real-time testing of the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) at its international departure area, starting yesterday.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said he was informed by airport management that the old autogate system at international departures was taken out of service about a week ago.

“The new NIISe autogate system has now been installed, and real-time testing began yesterday. Five new autogates are currently being tested, and Malaysian passport holders can already use the system for outbound clearance.

“Foreign passport holders, however, are still required to use manned counters for the time being. Based on user feedback, the new clearance process takes less than 10 seconds, significantly faster than the previous system,” he said in a statement today.

He noted that the system is expected to complete testing and be officially operational by mid-January, and once fully implemented, it will allow Malaysians and travellers from 63 countries to enjoy faster immigration clearance.

Wong also said plans are in place to install the new system at the international arrivals area, with related works expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.

Previously, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) announced the rollout of the new system at PIA to address prolonged congestion at the international terminal.

“One of the main causes of congestion has been the insufficient number of existing immigration autogates, which were limited to Malaysian users only, but with the continued growth in international flights and passengers, international passenger numbers have now surpassed domestic traffic, rendering the old system inadequate,” he said.

-- BERNAMA