Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai recently met with representatives of the travel agency, the destination management company responsible for the Poland–Penang winter charter flight project.
The meeting was to finalise arrangements for the inaugural winter charter flight service from Poland to Penang. It also marked the final stage of discussions and preparations, paving the way for the implementation of this initiative to expand Penang’s tourism market in Poland and, more broadly, Europe.
He was accompanied by Penang Global Tourism (PGT) Chief Executive Officer, Ooi Chok Yan (Chief Executive Officer of Penang Global Tourism), Pauline Yoon (Senior Manager of Penang Global Tourism) and Nur Nasyha Izzaty Azizan (Tourism Executive of Penang Global Tourism).
Representing the travel agency were Martini (Director of travel agency) and Azrin Amin (Malaysia and Singapore Market’s Manager of travel agency)
“Against this backdrop, the Penang State Government, in collaboration with the travel agency, is working to establish a winter charter flight connecting Warsaw, the capital of Poland, directly with Penang,” he said.
“The forthcoming Poland Warsaw–Penang winter charter service would be the first charter flight in Penang’s history to connect the state directly with the Polish market.
“The new service will not only further strengthen Penang’s international air connectivity, but also open an important window for Penang’s tourism industry to expand into the European market. It will serve as a stepping stone for Penang to gain a foothold in the European tourism market,” said Wong.
The flight service is scheduled to commence on 5 November 2026 and operate until 25 March 2027, catering to travel demand during the Polish winter season.
The service will operate approximately once a week, with flights departing from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) every Thursday and arriving at Penang International Airport (PEN). A total of 19 flights are expected to operate throughout the winter season, with each flight carrying approximately 250 to 300 tourists.
“This will provide Polish travellers with a more convenient option for visiting Penang, while further expanding Penang’s tourism footprint in the European market,” Wong said.
As part of the charter programme, travel agency has also developed eight tourism packages for Polish travellers, who may select any two packages for an in-depth Penang travel experience.
The programmes will be led by local Penang tour guides, allowing visitors to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the state’s culture, history, natural attractions and way of life.
Wong said the tourism products had also been specially designed to cater to the holiday preferences of Polish travellers during the winter season, offering stays of either seven or 14 days that combine city exploration with a beach holiday.
“Visitors can spend one week in citytour to explore Penang’s distinctive attractions and cultural heritage, followed by another week of beach stay to slow down and enjoy the sunshine, beaches and laid-back atmosphere of the island.
“In essence, the packages strike a balance between immersive travel and leisure, positioning Penang not merely as a tourist destination, but also as an attractive winter escape and long-stay holiday destination for Polish travellers,” he said.
“Against the backdrop of intensifying competition in the regional tourism landscape, expanding into new and long-haul source markets while further diversifying our international visitor base is an important area that Penang’s tourism industry must continue to pursue in the next phase of its development,” he said.
He added that the state government would actively explore more diversified and targeted approaches to market development, while working with tourism industry players with strong international networks and professional expertise.
“Charter flights, particularly seasonal winter charters designed around specific travel demand, can serve as an important entry point for opening up new markets, cultivating new sources of visitors and exploring the potential for establishing long-term air connectivity in the future,” he said.
“From individual points to routes, and from routes to a broader network, we aim to progressively expand Penang’s presence on the global tourism map,” he said.
He said winter charter flights were a practical way of connecting Penang with long-haul markets by responding to seasonal travel demand in different countries and leveraging established tourism packages offered by travel operators.
“The Poland Warsaw–Penang winter charter is regarded as a starting point and represents a positive exploration by Penang’s tourism industry to further develop long-haul markets in Europe,” he said.
“The Penang State Government will continue to embrace an open, proactive and diversified approach to market development, leveraging charter flights as an entry point to tap new and emerging source markets, and progressively connecting Penang with more tourism markets around the world,” he said in a press statement.