Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai welcomed news of AirAsia commencing its direct flights from Shenzhen, China to the Penang International Airport.
The announcement made by Air Asia will see the flights from Shenzhen take effect from October 28, 2024.
Wong was elated in receiving the announcement by Air Asia on the new flight connectivity.
“This will make it another connectivity to the Greater Bay area in China thus enabling more Chinese tourists to come to Penang.
“Currently, there are seven Chinese cities with direct flights to Penang, including Xiamen (Xiamen Airlines), Guangzhou (China Southern Airlines), Shenzhen (Shenzhen Airlines), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific, AirAsia, and the upcoming HK Express Airways in November), Shanghai (Juneyao Airlines and Shanghai Airlines), Haikou (Batik Air Malaysia), and Chongqing (Firefly Airlines).
To date, Penang has 31 international direct flight routes operated by various airlines, connecting 17 international cities, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City, Haikou (charter flight), and Chongqing (charter flight). With the upcoming launch of the direct flight route between Hong Kong and Penang by HK Express Airways, Penang’s international flight network will be further strengthened, reaching 32 routes.
AirAsia also announced that they will offer the Kota Kinabalu-Shantou route too.
With the addition of these two new routes, AirAsia will operate a total of 33 routes to/from China, further solidifying its position as the largest foreign low-cost carrier in the region.
AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) will operate four flights weekly from Penang to Shenzhen starting 28 October 2024 whereas flights from Kota Kinabalu to Shantou will commence on 16 November 2024 with three flights weekly.
In celebration of the route launches, AirAsia is offering promotional fares for flights between Penang and Shenzhen from RM329 all-in* one way as well as flights from Kota Kinabalu to Shantou with fares starting from RM299 all-in* one way.
All Malaysians are eligible for visa-free entry to China for tourist visits of up to 15 days until the end of 2025.
Located in Guangdong province, both Shenzhen and Shantou are known for their impressive skyscrapers. Tourists visiting the observatory deck, Free Sky, on the 116th floor of the Ping An International Finance Centre can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Shenzhen and Hong Kong skylines.
Alternatively, they can visit Nan’ao Island in Shantou for a breathtaking and leisurely escape during a busy schedule.