The Penang International Airport (PIA) will welcome the direct flight of IndiGo Airlines with effect Dec 21, 2024.
The direct Chennai-Penang route is already on sale on the airline’s website.
The Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, shared exciting news for Penang’s tourism sector as IndiGo Airlines officially launches a direct route between Chennai and Penang.
In January this year, YB Wong Hon Wai together with Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) led by its CEO, Ashwin Gunasekean and his team visited the four cities of India, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Kochi to promote Penang’s tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) resources.
They met with leaders of the Indian tourism industry. During his visit, he held discussions with the Tamil Nadu Minister for Tourism, Thiru K. Ramachandran, on collaboration in the tourism sector.
Wong also visited IndiGo Airlines’ headquarters in New Delhi to explore the possibility of launching direct flights from India to Penang.
“This route marks an important milestone in Penang’s expansion into the Indian market and reflects the fruitful collaboration between both sides. I am confident that this direct connection will significantly boost travel, business, and family visits between India and Penang, further strengthening our economic and cultural itties.”
“This new Chennai-Penang route, operated by IndiGo, is currently the only direct flight connecting India to Penang and represents Penang’s direct link to Chennai. This launch signifies a major leap forward in air connectivity between Malaysia and India and heralds a new era in air travel between Penang and India.
“This route will substantially reduce travel time, providing a more convenient option for travellers and a vital channel for business exchanges, further strengthening Malaysia-India relations.”
“IndiGo’s direct Chennai-Penang route will not only offer a time-saving option for business travellers but also promises a comfortable and enjoyable journey. With this new connection, business exchanges between Penang and Chennai will become closer, providing solid support for economic and trade cooperation.” said Wong in a press statement.
Flight 6E1045 from Chennai to Penang will depart at 2.15am Chennai time and arrive in Penang at 8.30am local time. Flight 6E1046 from Penang to Chennai will depart at 9.30am local time, arriving in Chennai at 10.35am. Both flights will operate daily.
Tamil Nadu, with a population of around 78 million, is one of India’s most densely populated states.
“Given India’s vast population base, especially in Tamil Nadu, this Chennai-Penang route has great potential for high passenger volumes and promising growth. Although India is currently absent from Penang’s top 10 tourist source countries, I am confident that the launch of this direct route will soon place India among Penang’s top tourism markets.
“Tamil Nadu is also the primary origin for Malaysia’s Indian community, especially in Penang. Penang shares a deep historical and cultural connection with Chennai, rooted in population migration, shared heritage, and common cultural ties, such as language, cuisine, and traditions.
“Furthermore, Chennai was formerly known as Madras, and Penang’s Madras Lane reflects this shared history, making the Chennai-Penang route’s cultural significance even stronger.” added Wong.
He added, “Indian citizens currently benefit from a visa-free entry policy for stays in Malaysia of up to 30 days, which will complement the IndiGo Chennai-Penang route, making it more convenient for Indian travelers to visit Penang and for Penang residents, especially those of Indian descent, to visit family in India. With increasing exchanges between Chennai and Penang, cultural exchanges between our two regions will also deepen.”
This new direct Chennai-Penang route launch coincides with Penang’s hosting of the 11th Global Organization of Tamil Origin Annual Meeting. Organized by the Global Organization of Tamil Origin and supported by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), this international conference will take place on the 4th and 5th of January 2024 and is expected to attract approximately 1,000 Indian business participants from around the world. As a vital institution under PETACE, PCEB is committed to fostering strong connections between Penang and the Indian market through major international events.
To date, Penang has 33 direct international routes served by various airlines, connecting 18 cities, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City, Doha, Chongqing (charter) and Kunming (charter). Hong Kong Express and IndiGo’s Chennai-Penang routes, launching this November and December, will be the 34th and 35th direct routes, respectively, with Chennai becoming the 19th city connected directly to Penang.”
