The airport's capacity was upgraded to accommodate 4 million passengers per year in September 2018.

However, the airline has no traffic rights to transport passengers solely between Langkawi and Penang.

[9] A 2,500 feet (760 m) airstrip, which connects to the main road at Padang Mat Sirat, was built in 1961 and began operation in March 1962.

[10] Under the Fifth Malaysia Plan, RM107 million was allocated for the expansion of Padang Mat Sirat Airport to accommodate larger aircraft.

Phase 2 of the expansion involves the construction of a proposed aerobridge, which is designed to handle the increasing volume of direct international flights.