By V. Sivaji
The Penang International Airport (PIA) will see yet another international multi award winning carrier flying directly here in April this year.
Dubai based Emirates Airlines announced on their web page that they will be flying to Penang daily via Singapore from Thursday, April 9, 2020.
Thus Penang becomes the second destination in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur which the airline currently serves.
The flight will be operated by their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with a capacity of 354 passengers in private suites, business class and economy class facilities.
The new route enables travellers from the Northern cities of Malaysia to connect from Dubai to destinations in Europe, North America and Middle East.
“Penang is a major centre for tourism, business travel as well as medical tourism and the increased levels of inbound travel is consistent with the growth in numbers of visitors to the country.
“We have been serving Malaysia through our flights to Kuala Lumpur for more than 20 years, with three-times daily service and the introduction of flights to Penang will help us meet growing demand from leisure and business travellers, both to and from Malaysia.
“We are also pleased that the fifth freedom flights between Penang and Singapore will connect two sister cities and increase connectivity for passengers in South East Asia,” said Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates.
The Emirates statement read that the new service will also enable Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Emirates, to offer up to 15 tonnes of cargo capacity on the flight, giving Malaysian businesses the opportunity to increase their exports such as electronic products and components including semiconductors, laptops, other consumer products; spare parts for other industries including aviation, oil and gas as well as renewable energy.
Frequently imported commodities to Malaysia include pharmaceuticals, fashion goods, perishable goods including food items and fresh flowers. The route will also support import and export opportunities for Singapore, connecting the world through Dubai and between Singapore and Penang.
The Emirates started in 1985 and today they fly some of the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, to offer their customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.
Meanwhile commenting on the positive development, Penang State Exco for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Yeoh Soon Hin welcomed the direct flight which will surely auger well for tourism in the state.
“We always look for the western market, including the India market and further to Middle East and Europe market. Qatar Airways and Emirates will be capitalized for the Western market and this is our advantage,” said Yeoh.
He also added that securing new direct flight or flight services from international airlines is one of the focuses of the state government, as good air connectivity would benefit the nation’s economy and create employment opportunities. The State Government wish to position Penang as the air traffic hub for Malaysia – Indonesia – Thailand Growth Triangle.
Meanwhile, Penang state director for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Jonathan Freddy Bagang added that the new flight is definitely great news as it will enhance the connectivity to Malaysia particularly Penang and also surrounding states in the Northern Region.
“We can expect more tourists to come from the Middle East / Europe sector as well as other passengers using the airlines to fly to Malaysia.
“It will also elevate Penang as a main destination for tourists,”said Jonathan when contacted by Penang Hyperlocal.com.