KUALA LUMPUR – Batik Air is expanding its international footprint with two new routes to Indonesia, connecting Subang with Bali and Penang with Batam, starting next month.
The expansion comes as travel between the two countries continues to record strong growth, with Malaysia welcomed 4.3 million visitors from Indonesia in 2025, marking a 2.9 percent rise compared to the previous year.
In a statement today, the airline said the new Subang-Bali service, commencing on Oct 20, will provide a direct link between Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang and Bali, giving travellers in Klang Valley and surrounding areas a more convenient way to reach the popular Indonesian destination without the need to travel to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
The Subang-Bali service will operate four times weekly, complementing Batik Air’s existing KLIA service, which operates 35 times weekly.
Meanwhile, the new Penang–Batam service, commencing on Oct 18, will strengthen the airline’s connectivity from northern Malaysia to the Riau Islands.
The direct service will provide travellers from Penang and the northern region with a more convenient connection to Batam, supporting leisure and business travel between the two markets.
The route will operate three times weekly, complementing Batik Air’s existing KLIA service, which operates seven times weekly.
The airline said Malaysia remains an important source of international visitors to Indonesia, particularly for destinations such as Batam and Bali.
“Bali recorded 6.95 million direct international tourist arrivals in 2025, representing a 9.72 percent increase compared with 2024. The strong growth underlines Bali’s continued appeal as a major regional leisure destination.
“Batam recorded 738,186 international visitor arrivals in the first six months of 2025, with Malaysia accounting for 188,713 visits, making it the second-largest source market during the period,” it added.
Batik Air Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the new services strengthen the airline’s regional network while expanding the international options available from Subang and Penang.
“Malaysia and Indonesia have strong and established travel ties and the demand continues to grow.
“Bali and Batam are both important destinations for Malaysian travellers while Malaysia remains a significant market for Indonesian visitors.
“These new routes allow Batik Air to build on that demand and strengthen its international footprint from Subang and Penang,” he said. -MalayaDailyToday
