Penang: Since its launch on September 28, 2023, the direct Xiamen-Penang route operated by Xiamen Airlines has carried 220,000 passengers as of March this year. Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai announced that the airline conducted 1,526 round-trip flights during this period, achieving an impressive average load factor of 85 percent, which demonstrates strong and consistent travel demand from Xiamen, Fujian, to Penang.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wong stated that the route has injected over RM100 million into Penang's economy, bringing tangible benefits to sectors such as hospitality, transportation, food and beverage, services, and retail. He emphasized the deep-rooted ties and longstanding friendship between Xiamen and Penang, noting that George Town and Xiamen have been sister cities for over 30 years, maintaining close links through historical heritage, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions.
Currently leading a Penang government delegation to China, Wong is representing the state's tourism industry, which includes a tourism promotion roadshow in Xiamen, Fujian Province. He noted that China remains a key tourism market for Penang, with Xiamen serving as an important gateway. The air connectivity between the two cities has become increasingly frequent, convenient, and efficient amid the ongoing tourism recovery.
Since the route's launch, the flight frequency has expanded from three times a week to daily operations, offering travelers greater flexibility and ease of travel. The direct route not only attracts passengers from Xiamen but also caters to travelers from surrounding cities such as Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, as well as across the Fujian Province.
Wong added that the Penang state government will continue collaborating closely with Xiamen Airlines to further strengthen cultural and tourism ties between the two destinations. In conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) has unveiled a new promotional video at the roadshow, titled "In Love With Penang," with the tagline "Heartfelt Moments Begin Now." The campaign aims to position Penang not only as a premier destination for heritage and gastronomy but also to highlight emerging sectors such as medical tourism, cruise tourism, wedding tourism, and educational tourism.