GEORGE TOWN, Nov 24 — The Penang International Airport will receive more international flights following the introduction of additional routes by two airlines.
The additional routes are Dragonair’s Penang-Hong Kong and AirAsia’s Penang-Ho Chi Minh City.
Dragonair will add two more flights to its existing 10 per week between Penang and Hong Kong. The flights will operate for a four-month seasonal period, starting Nov 30.
“The additional flights will offer customers more choices and flexibility when planning their travel,” said a Dragonair spokesman.
The flight will be operated by Dragonair’s fleet of Airbuses with a business and economy class configuration.
Passengers will experience Dragonair’s improved seating and personal storage space, and new in-flight entertainment system.
In conjunction with these flights, Dragonair has launched a promotion for those who are looking for value airfares for this year-end holiday season.
The offers include flights to Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and Europe with airfares from as low as RM590.
The promotion period started on October 30 and will last until December 31.
The airline is a member of the Cathay Pacific Group and has won the “Best Regional Airline” and “World Best Regional Airline” awards.
AirAsia is introducing direct flights from Penang to Vietnam capital, Ho Chi Minh City, starting next month.
The flights will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
“Penang is one of our important hubs and we recognise its great tourism potential,” said AirAsia Berhad commercial head Spencer Lee.
Dubbed the world’s best low-cost airline, AirAsia’s move is also expected to tap the Vietnamese market for tourism potential for Penang.
AirAsia will also launch direct flights from Langkawi to Guangzhou, China, that would ply the route on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays starting from January 24 next year.
Guangzhou is the third largest city after Beijing and Shanghai.
AirAsia chief executive officer Aireen Omar said the airline was working closely with Langkawi Development Authority to raise the tourism bar for Langkawi in line with the “Discover Kedah 2016.”
Penang Tourism Malaysia director Harun Pilus welcomes the move by the various airlines to contribute positively to the Penang’s tourism industry.
“With easy access via direct flights to the island, foreign tourists will have the convenience of reaching their destination here without changing flights and avoid loss of time,” he said.
“More tourists arrivals will boost the state’s economy.”
