Penang Tourism Exco hailed the emergence of the Penang International Airport (PIA) as the second busiest airport in the country.
“The latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) reveals that Penang International Airport has risen to become Malaysia’s second busiest airport in 2024, ranking just behind Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and surpassing Kota Kinabalu International Airport by a narrow margin.”
“In 2024, Penang International Airport recorded 64,507 aircraft movements, slightly ahead of Kota Kinabalu International Airport’s 63,822 movements. This also surpasses Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, which recorded 59,929 movements, and Kuching International Airport, with 54,969 movements. KLIA retained its top position with 366,895 movements. These figures underscore Penang’s vital role in the national aviation network and its rapid growth as an international hub for tourism and business.” said YB Wong Hon Wai in a press statement.
Wong highlighted the airport’s passenger growth in 2024 which saw a total passenger volume of 7,473,462, reflecting a 7.07% increase compared to 6,979,748 passengers in 2023.
“This steady rise mirrors Penang’s appeal as a premier destination for both domestic and international travelers, alongside the post-pandemic recovery of the tourism sector. The growth also aligns with the Penang State Government’s significant investments in tourism over the past two years.”
“The increase in flight frequencies was another milestone. In 2024, the airport recorded 565 weekly flights, marking an 8.03% increase from 523 weekly flights in 2023. International flights, in particular, grew substantially, with 304 weekly international flights in 2024—a 17.37% increase from 259 weekly flights the previous year. This data reflects Penang’s growing connectivity and its role as the aviation hub of northern Malaysia, meeting the strong demand for air services in the region,” Wong noted.
Furthermore, 2024 marked a record-breaking year for Penang’s aviation and tourism accessibility. “Since August 2023, Penang International Airport has introduced 12 new direct international routes, connecting the state to 10 new cities worldwide,” Wong said.
He emphasized, “Penang’s strategic position as a northern region aviation hub, a global semiconductor manufacturing center, and a leading destination for medical tourism has made it a top choice for airlines to prioritize developing direct routes.”
*The list of new direct international routes to Penang since August 2023:*
• Xiamen Airlines – Xiamen to Penang (September 2023)
• flydubai – Dubai to Penang (February 2024)
• Thai Lion Air – Bangkok to Penang (April 2024)
• Juneyao Airlines – Shanghai to Penang (May 2024)
• Firefly Airlines – Charter flights from Chongqing to Penang (July 2024)
• Shenzhen Airlines – Shenzhen to Penang (July 2024)
• Shanghai Airlines – Shanghai to Penang (August 2024)
• Qatar Airways – Doha to Penang (resumed in October 2024)
• AirAsia – Shenzhen to Penang (October 2024)
• Hong Kong Express Airways – Hong Kong to Penang (November 2024)
• IndiGo Airlines – Chennai to Penang (December 2024)
• Loong Air – Xi’an to Penang (December 2024)
“Additionally, since August 2023, there have been three charter routes to Penang that have since ceased operations. This is because charter flights, unlike fixed routes, are often tailored based on demand and organized flexibly according to the requirements of travel agencies or specific clients. The operation of charter flights is also influenced by market demand fluctuations and seasonal changes. Therefore, it is normal for charter routes to cease operations after fulfilling specific market needs during a particular period.”
*The list of charter routes to Penang opened but later ceased since August 2023:*
• Batik Air – Guilin to Penang charter flights (2023, currently ceased)
• Batik Air – Haikou to Penang charter flights (2023, currently ceased)
• Batik Air – Kunming to Penang charter flights (2024, currently ceased)
“As of now, Penang’s international route network connects 20 cities, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Don Mueang, Phuket, Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City, Doha, Xi’an, Chennai, and Chongqing, spanning across Greater China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia,” Wong added.
Wong also emphasized: “Airlines, as profit-driven private enterprises, make operational decisions based on market prospects and potential returns. They would not rashly establish routes without viable growth potential. Therefore, the successful launch of these new routes is undoubtedly a vote of confidence from the global market in Penang’s tourism appeal and a strong testament to the vibrant development of Penang’s tourism industry. This recognition from the international aviation sector reflects the industry’s strategic emphasis on Penang’s market potential. The flourishing success of Penang’s tourism industry, besides the efforts of various levels of government, is also attributed to the collective contributions of the local tourism players, including hoteliers, restaurateurs, transportation providers, and attraction operators.”
Wong also emphasized that the extensive international flight network will serve as a solid foundation for Penang’s thriving tourism industry in the future. “With the spirit of ‘always striving for better,’ the Penang state government will continue adhering to the principle of continuous improvement.
“Taiwan’s Tigerair announced in mid-January this year its intention to launch a new route connecting Taiwan and Penang. I will pay close attention to this matter and extend my full support, with plans to personally visit Taiwan soon to follow up on this, hoping for the successful launch of this new route to inject new energy into Penang’s tourism industry.”
“Looking ahead, with the gradual implementation of the Penang International Airport expansion plan, I believe the position of Penang International Airport as the second busiest airport in Malaysia will be further solidified. More new routes will be launched, connecting Penang with more cities and further strengthening its role as a regional aviation hub. Particularly, it will serve as a crucial gateway and bridge connecting the Northern Region of Malaysia to countries worldwide. An increase in flights also means more visitors coming to Penang, which will not only inject new growth into the tourism industry but also significantly enhance the overall economic benefits of Penang’s tourism, contributing to the prosperity and development of the local economy.” said Wong.
Source – Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy