Another new airline will offer air connectivity between Penang and Hong Kong this November.
Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai shared that HK Express Airways has officially launched ticket sales for direct flight between Hong Kong and Penang.
The newly introduced direct flight from Hong Kong to Penang, operated by HK Express Airways, will bear the flight number UO748.
It will depart from Hong Kong International Airport at 8.10 pm on 21st November 2024 and arrive at Penang International Airport at 12.10 am local time. The return flight from Penang to Hong Kong, with flight number UO749, will depart at 12.45 am local time and arrive in Hong Kong at 4.40 am.
The direct flight between Hong Kong and Penang will operate on a daily basis.
In mid-June of this year, Wong met with Ms Jeanette Mao, CEO of HK Express Airways and Mr KK Ong, HK Express Commercial Director, at their headquarters in Hong Kong during his visit to Hong Kong. Both parties discussed and reached a consensus on the launch of the direct Hong Kong-Penang flight.
Additionally, during his visit, Wong also met with Mr. Raistlin Lau, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, where they had in-depth discussions on strengthening cultural and tourism cooperation between Penang and Hong Kong.
Commenting on the launch of the direct flight, Wong Hon Wai said in a press statement, “The Penang State Government welcomes the upcoming direct flights offered by HK Express Airways between Hong Kong and Penang. This daily direct flight will further enhance Penang’s accessibility and connectivity with Hong Kong, providing more opportunities for tourism and economic collaboration between the two cities.”
He also noted, “Currently, there are two direct flight routes between Hong Kong and Penang: Cathay Pacific offers a daily service with seven weekly flights, and AirAsia operates three weekly flights. According to data released by the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, the population of Hong Kong stands at 7.5 million. Therefore, Hong Kong remains an untapped potential market for Penang.”
“In the context of the Greater Bay Area, besides the Hong Kong-Penang direct flight route, Penang also has direct flights from Guangzhou operated by China Southern Airlines and from Shenzhen by Shenzhen Airlines. The Greater Bay Area has a population of 86 million. Hence, Hong Kong and the entire Greater Bay Area present significant tourism market potential. The large population and economic strength of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area are markets that Penang should explore and expand its market share in,” Wong added.
Wong further emphasized, “The people of Penang are generally proficient in multiple languages, including Malay, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and other Chinese dialects such as Teochew, Hokkien, and Hakka. The Greater Bay Area and Penang share deep linguistic and cultural ties. We warmly welcome more tourists, business professionals, and students from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to Penang, a unique city that blends East and West, tradition and modernity. Here, you can experience the fusion of diverse cultures and appreciate Penang’s unique historical charm and modern development. Those who love cultural heritage, natural ecology, and Southeast Asian cuisine will find a variety of experiences in Penang.”
“With the launch of direct flights between Hong Kong and Penang by HK Express Airways, the increased frequency of flights will make it more convenient for Hong Kong tourists to visit Penang, where they can experience the charming historic architecture, delightful cuisine, sun-kissed beaches, stunning natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage,” Wong stated.
Wong highlighted, “In the first half of 2024 (January to June), the number of international tourists arriving in Penang by air reached 913,126, a significant increase of 25.78% compared to the 725,956 visitors during the same period in 2023. Among them, the number of Chinese tourists flying directly to Penang surged by 244.21% (44,847 visitors in the first half of 2024 compared to 13,029 visitors in the first half of 2023). Considering the large number of tourists who enter Penang via connecting flights through Kuala Lumpur or by land, the actual number of tourists visiting Penang could far exceed this figure. With the new direct flight route launched by HK Express Airways, we look forward to welcoming even more international tourists, further boosting Penang’s tourism and economic development.”
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).
The Penang State Government has always placed great importance on the Chinese market, continuously expanding air connections with Chinese cities. The addition of HK Express Airways is a significant achievement of the government’s efforts to promote the tourism industry. With HK Express Airways joining Penang’s air connectivity, I believe Penang will attract more visitors from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, further enhancing Penang’s reputation in China and solidifying its position as a popular travel destination for Chinese tourists.
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.
Hong Kong Express Airways has a total of 37 aircrafts and hopes to grow to 40 planes by the end of this year. Among their models are A320 and A321 aircrafts. They are a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific.
