By V. Sivaji
Penang continues to strengthen its connectivity with China as yet another Chinese carrier launches direct flights to the island. This time, Qingdao Airlines marked its inaugural service to Penang with flight QW923, further expanding travel links between the two destinations.
Passengers and holidaymakers arriving on the maiden flight were warmly welcomed by Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai, alongside a host of distinguished guests.
The airline’s Airbus A320neo received a ceremonial water cannon salute upon arrival at Penang International Airport, underscoring the significance of the new route.
Among the passengers on board was Qingdao Airlines Director of Marketing Li Yuchuan and his team. To commemorate the occasion, arriving guests were presented with special goody bags.
In his welcoming speech, Wong highlighted the increasing presence of Chinese airlines in Penang, noting that this latest addition further enhances the state’s tourism ecosystem and international accessibility.
“Just last week, I travelled to Qingdao to attend the Qingdao–Penang Direct Flight Launching Ceremony and Cooperation Matchmaking Event, which brought together key stakeholders including the Qingdao Municipal Government, Qingdao Airlines management, and tourism industry representatives,” he said.
“This initiative reflects a strong commitment to ensuring the success of this route. With this launch, Qingdao becomes the seventh city in China with scheduled direct flights to Penang,” he added.
Wong also noted that Qingdao, a major coastal city with a population of over 10 million, is supported by a robust industrial base. Qingdao Airlines operates an extensive network linking Qingdao to major cities in Northeast China such as Harbin, Changchun, Yanji and Dalian, as well as key destinations in South Korea, including Seoul, Jeju and Daegu and Japanese cities like Osaka and Nagoya.
As an immediate boost to tourism ties, a business-to-business (B2B) session will be held on April 3, 2026, bringing together tourism stakeholders from both Qingdao and Penang to explore further collaboration opportunities.
The inaugural ceremony also featured a celebratory cake-cutting, attended by tourism industry players and representatives from Tourism Malaysia, marking another milestone in Penang’s growing appeal to the Chinese travel market.