logo
AirAsia eyes increased connectivity to Penang in regional expansion push

AirAsia eyes increased connectivity to Penang in regional expansion push

The Star08-07-2025
GEORGE TOWN: AirAsia is actively exploring the possibility of increasing flight connectivity to and from Penang as part of its ongoing regional growth strategy, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional accessibility.
AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Captain Fareh Mazputra said the airline is currently evaluating several potential new routes involving Penang, one of Malaysia's most popular travel destinations.
"We will be doing a lot more study on it. One thing is for sure, as an airline, our job and business is to connect places and people. But of course, we also need to ensure that the connectivity is sustainable.
"So, there are many destinations we want to connect to Penang," he told reporters after a press conference on 'AirAsia RedRun lands in Malaysia for the first time in Penang', which was also attended by State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, here today.
Elaborating further, Fareh said any expansion plans must align with operational sustainability and long-term viability, with the airline particularly focused on 'low-hanging fruit' routes that demonstrate strong demand and immediate commercial potential.
While no specific new routes have been confirmed yet, he indicated that AirAsia's focus remains on regional destinations, with plans to enhance Penang's connectivity within ASEAN and nearby markets.
Meanwhile, Wong said AirAsia carried over 1.8 million passengers through Penang across the region in just the first half of this year and contributes 38 per cent of passenger aircraft arrivals at Penang International Airport based on airport data.
"Currently, AirAsia connects Penang to seven international cities, namely Bangkok, Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Shenzhen, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, and five domestic destinations, including Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi.
"There are 239 weekly AirAsia flights to Penang from international and domestic destinations. Additionally, it facilitates connections from other international cities via the AirAsia Fly-thru programme and provides timely transit flights from international cities through KLIA to Penang," he added.
AirAsia is bringing its highly anticipated RedRun to Penang for the first time, marking the next leg of the airline's regional initiative to energise travel and spotlight key tourism destinations across ASEAN.
The RedRun Penang will take place on Sept 28 at Gurney Plaza, inviting thousands of participants from across the region to join in three race categories: 3 kilometres (km), 5 km, and 10 km.
Registration for the RedRun is open until Aug 18, 2025. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AirAsia to start two direct services to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Sept 12
AirAsia to start two direct services to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Sept 12

The Sun

time9 hours ago

  • The Sun

AirAsia to start two direct services to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Sept 12

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Malaysia will launch two direct routes connecting Kuala Lumpur and Kuching to Pontianak, the capital city of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, starting Sept 12. This expansion comes in the wake of the launch of the Kuala Lumpur-Palembang route earlier this month and the upcoming Kuala Lumpur-Semarang service in September. With the introduction of Pontianak, AirAsia Malaysia will operate to a total of 17 destinations in Indonesia through 223 weekly flights between the two countries, solidifying its position as the airline with the widest network serving Indonesia. The launch of these new routes strengthens regional connectivity and supports both government targets, including Malaysia's goal to attract 4.3 million Indonesian tourists in 2025 and Sarawak's target of five million visitor arrivals by year-end. It also aims to contribute to Indonesia's national target of 16 million international arrivals with Malaysia remaining one of its top source markets. The new routes were unveiled during Sarawak Travel Fair organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board in Pontianak, which was held over the weekend.

Direct flights between Pontianak, Kuching and KL to boost tourism, economic ties
Direct flights between Pontianak, Kuching and KL to boost tourism, economic ties

Borneo Post

time10 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Direct flights between Pontianak, Kuching and KL to boost tourism, economic ties

Azizul delivers his speech during the launch of AirAsia's flight routes between Kuching, Kuala Lumpur and Pontianak. — Photo by Kentigern Minggu PONTIANAK (July 27): The resumption of direct flights between Pontianak and the Malaysian cities of Kuching and Kuala Lumpur is set to boost visitor arrivals, especially from West Kalimantan to Sarawak and Malaysia's capital, said Malaysian Consul in Pontianak, Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim. Speaking at the launch of AirAsia's flight routes between Kuching, Kuala Lumpur and Pontianak, held in conjunction with the Sarawak Travel Fair 2025 at Ayani Megamall here yesterday, he said the reinstated services would not only boost tourism, but also strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries. 'In addition to tourism, it will also facilitate access to educational and healthcare services in Malaysia, especially in Sarawak,' he said. Azizul added that the initiative aligns well with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, during which a wide range of tourism, education, and cultural programmes are expected to take place across the country. 'Last year alone, some 500,000 West Kalimantan residents entered Sarawak via land, while nearly 400,000 Malaysians travelled to West Kalimantan through the same means. 'This clearly demonstrates the strong tourism, education, and trade potential between Sarawak and West Kalimantan — a potential that will only grow stronger with improved flight connectivity,' he remarked. He noted that Sarawak and West Kalimantan share the longest land border between Malaysia and Indonesia, stretching approximately 900 kilometres. 'West Kalimantan is the only Indonesian province with the highest number of land entry points into Malaysia. These include the Tebedu–Entikong, Biawak–Aruk, and Lubok Antu–Nanga Badau crossings,' he said. Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) marketing director Barbara Benjamin Atan said the Sarawak Travel Fair 2025, held from July 25 to 27, aims to promote tourism, healthcare, and education ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan. She said the event reinforces Sarawak's image as a trusted tourism partner committed to long-term collaboration, marked by the participation of over 40 delegates from Sarawak. 'STB remains committed to working closely with industry partners in West Kalimantan. We believe that with shared commitment, mutual trust and strong communication, we can build a sustainable tourism relationship that benefits both regions,' she added. Airasia Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim direct flights flight routes tourism

From New Resorts To Attractions: What Labuan Bajo Has In Store For Future Visitors
From New Resorts To Attractions: What Labuan Bajo Has In Store For Future Visitors

Hype Malaysia

time17 hours ago

  • Hype Malaysia

From New Resorts To Attractions: What Labuan Bajo Has In Store For Future Visitors

A fishing village located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo is a hidden gem with tons to explore! Labuan Bajo is being hailed as the next best Asean holiday destination and a must-add to your travel list, thanks to the many fun tourist attractions and activities available – but what if we told you that there's more coming soon? While visiting Labuan Bajo with AirAsia, we also learned what the East Nusa Tenggara destination has planned for the future, especially for Parapuar Park and Golo Mori. From new tourist attractions to family resorts, Labuan Bajo promises a lot in the next few years, so here's a hint at what's coming soon: Parapuar Starting with Parapuar Park, or sometimes referred to as Parapuar Viewpoint. This hilltop park is located in Labuan Bajo's city centre, just five minutes from the Komodo International Airport and seven minutes from the Marina Waterfront area. During our trip, we met with members from the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF), who shared with us their ongoing plans to develop the park into a new tourist destination on the island. Parapuar has also begun transformation into the next must-visit attraction in Labuan Bajo. BPOLBF said the park will focus on nature tourism as it's a prime location on the island for sunrise and sunset viewing. One of the ways the agency is getting people to visit Parapuar is by hosting weekend events on the hilltop, such as yoga workshops and the Picnic Over The Hill pop-ups. Of course, the park will continue to see growth over the next few years. BPOLBF said there are already a few brands hopping on the development project. This means visitors will soon be able to dine at more cafes and restaurants, whilst enjoying the scenic view from the hilltop. In the meantime, the agency will continue to host more events to get visitors familiar with Parapuar. Golo Mori Another area with expansion plans within the next five years is Golo Mori Village, also known as The Golo Mori. Located 45 minutes away from the centre of Labuan Bajo, this scenic spot presents a truly stunning concept of a sustainable marine-based meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism destination. Currently, the area is home to the Golo Mori Convention Centre, which hosted the recent Golo Mori International Jazz Festival. Unfortunately, the area still lacks many facilities and has little to no attractions. However, during our meeting with the spokesperson for InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), we learnt that the area will see more growth in the next few weeks. Amongst the plans for Golo Mori are new luxury resorts and hotels to offer more accommodation options to those travelling to Labuan Bajo. At the same time, ITDC is inviting more international businesses to invest in Golo Mori, promising more traffic to the area within the next few years. The Nuka Beach Club is steadily attracting guests who are looking for a beach getaway without the crowd of central Labuan Bajo. Given the vast area of Golo Mori, we're sure this destination has plenty of space to grow in the coming years. Of course, now is still a great time to visit Labuan Bajo – and you can get there from Malaysia with Air Asia! The World's Best Low-Cost Airline offers three flights per week to Labuan Bajo from KLIA Terminal 2. For more information on the flights, check out the AirAsia website and the AirAsia MOVE App.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store