TransNusa To Increase Jakarta-Penang Flight To Daily From Next Month

GEORGE TOWN,  Nov 24 (Bernama) -- TransNusa Aviation will increase its Jakarta–Penang flight frequency to daily beginning next month, signalling the airline’s confidence in Penang as a vibrant destination for tourism, business and medical travel.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the Jakarta–Penang route currently operates three times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — with the inaugural flight launched today.

“This is TransNusa’s first route to Penang. It not only expands the state’s international air connectivity but also strengthens cultural exchange, economic ties and longstanding friendship between Penang and Indonesia.

“The state government hopes to build strong, long-term cooperation with TransNusa, and the opening of this route aligns with the national tourism agenda,” he said in a statement today.

Earlier, TransNusa flight 8B-633 departed Jakarta at 5.30 am local time from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and arrived at Penang International Airport at 8.20 am.

Wong said the introduction of the new Jakarta–Penang route was timely, especially with next year designated as the Malaysian Medical Tourism Year, in addition to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).

Indonesia currently accounts for nearly 90 per cent of Penang’s medical tourism market.

From January to September 2025, Penang received 284,364 visitors from Indonesia, an increase of 12.3 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Direct air links between Indonesia and Penang connect four cities, namely Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya and Banda Aceh, so far.

-- BERNAMA