CHINESE low-cost carrier 9 Air will launch a new charter direct flight route between Haikou and Penang beginning Nov 18, further strengthening air connectivity between China and Penang.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said in a statement that the route will operate three times weekly — on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
He said the service will begin as a charter operation, with the potential to gradually evolve into a regular scheduled direct flight, creating a convenient and stable air link between Penang and Haikou.
The Haikou–Penang flight (AQ1297) will depart Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) at 1.15am and arrive at Penang International Airport (PEN) at 5.35am. The Penang–Haikou flight (AQ1298) will depart PEN at 6.35am and arrive at HAK at 10am. Both services will commence on Nov 18.
Wong highlighted that Penang and Hainan Province established a friendly state–province relationship in 2013 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), followed by another MoU in 2017 between Penang Island and Sanya City to strengthen city-level ties.
“As of now, Penang is connected to six cities in China through nine airlines, including Chengdu (Sichuan Airlines), Xiamen (Xiamen Airlines), Guangzhou (China Southern Airlines), Shenzhen (Shenzhen Airlines and AirAsia), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific and HK Express), and Shanghai (Juneyao Airlines and Shanghai Airlines),” Wong said.
He added that besides scheduled flights, Penang also enjoys charter flight connections with Chongqing, Xi’an, Kunming, and Guiyang.
“With the launch of 9 Air’s Haikou–Penang route, Penang’s air connectivity with southern, western, and southwestern China will be further enhanced,” Wong said.
“This will provide a more convenient aerial bridge for tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two regions, supporting Penang’s continued growth as a key gateway to Malaysia,” he added.
Pix courtesy of Penang Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) office