KUALA LUMPUR – Penang took another confident step toward becoming northern Malaysia’s aviation gateway as Batik Air launched two new international connections to Singapore and Kualanamu, Medan further strengthening the island’s fast-growing role in regional travel.
The announcement in Penang today came at a time when visitor numbers to Malaysia are rising sharply, especially from neighbouring Singapore, which has already contributed 14 million arrivals between January and August this year.
With short-haul travel now dominating Southeast Asia’s tourism recovery, Penang is positioning itself at the centre of this movement and Batik Air is leaning into that opportunity.
The new Penang–Singapore and Penang- Medan routes blend practicality with promise: weekend escapes for Singaporeans, medical tourism for Indonesians, and seamless access to Penang’s heritage-rich streets, thriving food scene and modern healthcare hub.
For northern Malaysia, it is another push toward becoming a multi-purpose travel corridor that serves leisure seekers, business travellers and patients alike.
Batik Air chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said Penang’s appeal makes it a natural anchor for the airline’s northern growth strategy.
“Penang has long been a strategic base for Batik Air in northern Malaysia,” he said. “Alongside our existing services, these new routes strengthen the city’s role as a northern hub and provide travellers with direct access to key regional markets.”
He described the expansion as part of a broader realignment ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, where Penang is expected to play a leading role in attracting international travellers.
“This is a gateway that supports tourism, business and medical travel. These new connections will help showcase everything that Penang and northern Malaysia have to offer,” he said.
For Penang, known globally for its vibrant cultural districts and increasingly for its medical and semiconductor industries, new air links are more than just flight additions they are catalysts for wider economic activity.
Penang’s State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, said Batik Air’s move signals confidence in Penang’s upward trajectory.
“The expansion strengthens Penang’s position as the premier gateway to northern Malaysia,” he said. “These routes will enhance regional connectivity and support key local industries, from tourism to medical travel.”
Wong said Penang is already preparing for major tourism campaigns next year, including Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Malaysia Medical Tourism Year 2026.
“We welcome Batik Air’s commitment and look forward to building a well-connected, vibrant future for Penang and the region,” he added.
Tourism Malaysia’s Deputy Director General (Promotion II), Samuel Lee, said direct connectivity is central to achieving Malaysia’s ambitious target of 47 million international arrivals in 2026.
“With these new routes, Penang becomes even more accessible,” he said. “From its preserved colonial heritage to its natural landscapes and adventure attractions, Penang offers experiences that enrich every traveller’s journey.”
As airlines race to capture growing demand for short- and medium-haul travel in Southeast Asia, Penang is emerging as a focal point not only for Malaysian carriers but also for travellers seeking convenience, culture and care. With Batik Air’s new routes linking the island more closely to Singapore and Indonesia, Penang’s northern gateway is opening wider to the world, one connection at a time.
For more information or to book a trip, can download the Batik Air mobile app or visit batikair. -MalayaDailyToday
