The Penang airport in northern Malaysia was closed for more than two hours Tuesday due to urgent runway repair work, a senior official said.

 

Penang International Airport was close from 12.45 p.m. until 3 p.m. local time Tuesday after some gap was found at the airport's runway, Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said at a press conference.

 

The gap occurred due to resurfacing work at the airport runway, which had been carried out early Tuesday morning, Chan was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

 

Meanwhile, local media reports said five flights were delayed and two domestic flights were canceled following the incident.

 

Malaysia Airports Berhad, operator of the Penang airport, is expected to issue a statement later Tuesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2007)