Batik Air To Launch Singapore-Penang Route, HK Express To Increase Flights

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Penang is set to welcome more international visitors following announcements by Batik Air Malaysia and HK Express to expand air connectivity to the state in the coming months.

State Tourism and Economic Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said Batik Air will launch a new direct route between Singapore and Penang in December, providing a significant boost to the state’s tourism sector.

“Singapore has long been one of Penang’s top three source markets. Given the strength of the Singapore dollar, visitors from Singapore typically have strong spending power, and in light of this, Singaporean visitors occupy an important position both in terms of arrival numbers and spending power.

“Therefore, Batik Air’s launch of the direct Singapore to Penang route will give travellers from Singapore another direct option to Penang, greatly facilitating their travel for tourism, investment and leisure, and further driving Penang’s tourism economy," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Wong also welcomed the move by HK Express to increase the frequency of its Hong Kong to Penang route from one flight daily to two flights daily, beginning Oct 26.

He said that both Singapore and Hong Kong are leading global aviation hubs, with Hong Kong International Airport ranked 9th in the world for total passenger traffic and Singapore Changi Airport ranked 15th for international passenger traffic, based on 2024 data from Airports Council International (ACI).

With greater connectivity from these key hubs, Wong said Penang stands to benefit from increased international exposure and the enhanced routes not only facilitate easier access for visitors from Hong Kong and Singapore, but also improve global connectivity to Penang via these strategic transit points.

“The additional flights by Batik Air and HK Express will further strengthen Penang International Airport’s position in the international route network,” he noted.

He said these new and expanded routes also symbolised closer ties between Penang and the two major hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore.

“It will also bring more business opportunities for Penang’s tourism operators and SMEs (small and medium enterprises),” he added.

-- BERNAMA