PENANG, November 4, 2024 -- Penang Global Tourism (PGT) is excited to announce, in collaboration with AirAsia, the launch of the highly anticipated direct flight route between Penang and Shenzhen. This new service, starting from 28 October 2024, marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity between Malaysia and China, fostering greater cultural, economic, and tourism exchanges.
Photo caption: YB Wong Hon Wai, Chairman of the Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee (Middle) and Kenneth Tan, AirAsia Director of Northern Region Affairs (Fifth from left) along with key tourism stakeholders and AirAsia Allstars at the receiving ceremony of Shenzhen-Penang inaugural flight.
To commemorate the inaugural flight, a welcoming ceremony was held on 29 October 2024 at 9:00AM at Penang International Airport. The event was attended by YB Wong Hong Wai, Chairman of the Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, along with AirAsia Allstars, key tourism stakeholders, and members of the media.
The new Penang-Shenzhen route will operate four times weekly, providing travellers from both cities with enhanced convenience and accessibility. Penang, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, world-class cuisine, and historical landmarks, is expected to benefit from an influx of tourists from Shenzhen, one of China’s leading economic hubs.
YB Wong Hong Wai expressed his enthusiasm for the new connection:
"This direct route between Penang and Shenzhen presents incredible opportunities for both cities, not just in tourism but also in deepening cultural and business exchanges. Penang has long been a melting pot of cultures, and this new connection will further cement its position as a top international destination. We are eager to welcome more visitors from China and strengthen our ties with Shenzhen."
In brief
Penang Global Tourism and AirAsia announced a direct flight service connecting Penang and Shenzhen, which began operating on 28 October 2024. The route runs four times weekly, and a ceremony marking its inaugural flight took place at Penang International Airport on 29 October. The organizations say the service is intended to improve travel access between the cities and support tourism, cultural exchange and business ties. Promotional one-way fares start at RM289, with bookings available through the AirAsia MOVE app and AirAsia’s website for travel through 30 June 2025. AirAsia Malaysia Managing Director Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra said the company expects the connection to attract more visitors from China and noted the government’s visa-free initiative for stays of up to 15 days.
Key takeaways
- The Penang–Shenzhen direct service began on 28 October 2024 and operates four times weekly.
- A ceremony for the inaugural flight was held at Penang International Airport on 29 October.
- Promotional one-way fares start at RM289, with travel available through 30 June 2025.
- The organizations say the route is intended to support tourism and cultural and business links.
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of AirAsia Malaysia also commemorated the inaugural with his comments:
"We are pleased to witness the launch of another new route to China, this time from our third largest hub, Penang, in Malaysia. It is exciting to welcome our guests aboard the inaugural flight from this vibrant city to Penang, which boasts a rich cultural heritage and mouth-watering local delicacies. As the largest foreign low-cost carrier in China, we strongly believe we can attract more Chinese tourists to the city, especially with the government's visa-free initiative for up to 15 days, valid until the end of next year. We look forward to launching more routes from this hub to support the state's tourism goals, enhance the travel experience, and provide more affordable travel options across the region for our guests."
As Penang continues to strengthen its role as a key destination for cultural exchange and tourism, this direct flight will play a vital role in bolstering economic ties, promoting religious tourism, and positioning Penang as a gateway to Southeast Asia.
Promotional fares for the Penang-Shenzhen route will start from RM289 all-in* one way. Guests can book their flights via the AirAsia MOVE app or airasia.com from today until 3 November 2024 for immediate travel up until 30 June 2025.
Visit airasia.com or download the AirAsia MOVE app for latest flight information . Follow @flyairasia on Instagram for latest promotions and updates.
*All-in fares are quoted for one way travel only, inclusive of airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. T&C apply.
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Questions around this news
How often does the Penang–Shenzhen flight operate?
The release says the Penang–Shenzhen service operates four times weekly. It describes the route as a direct connection between the two cities, intended to make travel more convenient and support tourism, cultural exchange, and business links.
What were the promotional fares and booking dates for the route?
The release advertised one-way promotional fares starting from RM289, inclusive of listed applicable charges. It said bookings could be made through the airline’s website or app from the announcement date until 3 November 2024, for travel up to 30 June 2025. The release also noted that terms and conditions applied.
What is a direct flight?
A direct flight travels between its origin and destination without a change of aircraft. In airline schedules, the term can sometimes include a stop along the way, so travellers may want to check whether a specific flight is nonstop and whether it includes any intermediate stops.
What does an all-in airfare mean?
An all-in airfare is a fare that includes specified charges in the quoted price, rather than showing only the base ticket price. Which taxes, fees, or surcharges are included depends on the fare’s terms, so travellers should review the details and check whether any other costs apply.
