In another much welcomed news for the tourism industry in Penang, State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, announced that the Penang State Government has received notification from TransNusa Aviation regarding the launch of a new direct flight between Jakarta (CGK) and Penang (PEN), commencing 24 November 2025.
“This marks TransNusa’s first-ever route to Penang, making it a milestone for both destinations,” said Wong. “Moreover, the timing of this inaugural flight aligns perfectly with Malaysia’s full preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, reflecting Penang’s ongoing commitment and readiness to welcome more international travellers.”
He further stated, “The launch of this new route adds another vital link between Penang and Indonesia, strengthening regional air connectivity and fostering closer people-to-people and cultural ties. Ticket sales are now officially open on the TransNusa website.”
The Jakarta – Penang flight, operating under flight code 8B-633, will depart Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) at 5:30 a.m. (Jakarta time) and arrive at Penang International Airport (PEN) at 9:00 a.m. (Penang time). The service will initially operate 3 times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) before increasing to daily service from December 2025.
The return flight, 8B-632, will depart Penang at 9:30 a.m. (Penang time) and arrive in Jakarta at 10:55 a.m. (Jakarta time), following the same frequency schedule.
Wong highlighted, “The year 2026 is not only Visit Malaysia Year (VMY 2026) but also Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026). This new route comes at a very timely juncture, enhancing Penang’s position as a key regional hub for medical and leisure tourism.”
Citing statistics from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), he noted, “Indonesia, with a population of 285.7 million, is the fourth most populous country in the world, and Jakarta alone has a population exceeding 10 million. This new direct connection will make it even easier for the vast Indonesian traveller segment – especially those from Jakarta – to reach Penang conveniently.”
Wong further shared that according to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), Penang remains Malaysia’s most successful medical tourism destination, contributing about 45% of the nation’s total healthcare travel revenue – a true pillar of the country’s medical tourism industry.
He added, “Indonesia has consistently been Malaysia’s largest source market for medical tourism, accounting for 65.8% of total national medical tourism revenue. In northern Malaysia, up to 90% of healthcare travel receipts are contributed by Indonesian visitors, clearly underscoring the significance of this market to Penang.”
“Beyond the healthcare segment, Indonesia has also long remained Penang’s top international arrival. From January to September 2025, Penang welcomed 284,364 Indonesian visitors arriving via international flights – a 2.5% increase compared to 277,533 in the same period last year – demonstrating steady growth and continued demand from Indonesian travellers,” he said.
“In this context, the launch of TransNusa’s direct Jakarta–Penang route perfectly meets market demand,” Wong continued. “For Indonesian travellers, Penang stands out for its quality yet affordable medical services, short flight distance, and rich blend of cultural and leisure attractions – offering both healing and holiday experiences in one destination.”
He also noted that beyond medical tourism, this new route will facilitate broader two-way travel between Jakarta and Penang, opening up more opportunities in leisure, business, education, and cultural exchanges, and deepening the region’s connectivity and collaboration.
In conclusion, Wong said, “With TransNusa joining Penang’s expanding air network, the state’s international connectivity continues to strengthen. This not only reinforces Penang’s position as a regional tourism and medical hub, but also enhances our strategic advantage ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.”