Penang: Batik Air today expanded its network from Penang International Airport (PEN) with the launch of new routes to Singapore (SIN) and Kualanamu, Medan (KNO), reinforcing Penang’s role as a northern gateway and strengthening regional connectivity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Singapore remains Malaysia’s largest source of international visitors, with 14.0 million arrivals from January to August this year, marking an 18.1 percent increase from the same period last year. The newly introduced Penang-Singapore route caters to strong demand for short-haul leisure trips, weekend getaways, and business travel, providing Singaporeans with straightforward access to Penang’s cultural heritage, renowned food scene, and tourism offerings.
The Penang-Medan flights address the rising demand for medical and wellness tourism from Indonesia, making it easier for Indonesian travelers to access the island’s healthcare services and explore leisure travel opportunities across Malaysia’s northern corridor. Batik Air’s chief executive officer, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, emphasized Penang’s strategic importance for the airline in northern Malaysia.
Chandran highlighted that alongside existing services to Kuala Lumpur (KLIA and SZB) and Jakarta (CGK), these new routes to Singapore and Medan solidify the city’s status as a northern hub, offering travelers direct access to key regional markets. He noted that this expansion aligns with the airline’s broader vision to make Penang a gateway that supports tourism, business, and medical travel, while anticipating evolving traveler needs.
With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 on the horizon, Chandran expressed that these connections will attract more visitors to the region and showcase the attractions of Penang and northern Malaysia.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai commented on Batik Air’s expansion, highlighting the growing confidence in Penang as the premier gateway to northern Malaysia. He noted that the new connections to Singapore and Medan bolster Penang’s role as a strategic hub for tourism, business travel, and medical tourism, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting local industries by drawing in more international visitors.
As preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Malaysia Medical Tourism Year 2026 continue, Wong emphasized Penang’s commitment to collaborating with airline partners to create seamless travel experiences and enhance the tourism ecosystem.
Tourism Malaysia deputy director general (Promotion II) Samuel Lee welcomed the initiative, noting that the new direct routes will increase Malaysia’s visibility as a tourist destination by making Penang more accessible to international visitors. He stated that these connections are expected to significantly contribute to the Visit Malaysia 2026 target of 47 million international arrivals.
Lee also pointed out that Penang’s unique attractions, from preserved colonial and traditional heritage to natural landscapes and adventure parks, offer enriching travel experiences for international visitors. He added that the launch of the two routes marks a significant step for Penang and travelers seeking easier access across the region, bringing the northern gateway closer to the world and opening fresh opportunities for tourism, business, and medical travel.