Langkawi International Airport

: This flight operates with a stop in Penang. However, the airline has no eighth-freedom rights to transport passengers solely between Langkawi and Penang. Airbus A400M Atlas taking off from Langkawi International Airport during LIMA 17 ==History==

Langkawi Airport was initially used as an airfield by the Japanese Army, as well as the British Army in 1945. A airstrip, which connects to the main road at Padang Mat Sirat, was built in 1961 and began operation in March 1962. The project cost RM330,000. Under the Fifth Malaysia Plan, RM107 million was allocated for the expansion of Padang Mat Sirat Airport to accommodate larger aircraft. By 1988, the airport already had modern facilities along with five other airports in Malaysia. Over 477,000 people used the airport in 1992. ==Expansion and development==

The airport has undergone Phase 1 expansion with the current capacity of 4 million passengers for approximately RM89 million. The gross floor area has been increased to 23,000 square meters (247570 sq ft), increased parking spaces to 600 bays and up to 8 boarding gates. The runway is capable of handling Boeing 747 aircraft. There is a private premium lounge in the departure hall. Facilities include food & beverage, bar, Wi-Fi, shower facility, phone and charging station. It is exclusively for departing passengers. At passenger touchpoints there are now 30 check-in counters and 18 immigration counters. Phase 2 of the expansion involves the construction of a proposed aerobridge, which is designed to handle the increasing volume of direct international flights. More amenities like arrival hall, commercial terminal, toilet, prayer rooms and driveway to the main terminal are to be included in the expansion. ==Traffic and statistics ==