SINCE 2025, flights from Yangon, Myanmar, to Penang have increased to three times a week as Myanmar Airways International (MAI) expands its network to bridge Myanmar and Malaysia, particularly to Penang.
A business-matching session was held at Cititel Hotel in George Town this morning to strengthen tourism and trade links between Myanmar and Penang, closer than ever, unlocking new opportunities for tourism, trade, and strategic collaborations.
With 33 years of operation, MAI operates a network of 41 domestic and international routes, serving destinations across Myanmar and beyond with more than 85 daily flights. The airline currently has a fleet of 14 aircraft and maintains a 100% accident-free record, while adhering to the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) standards.
MAI chief executive officer Tanes Kumar took to the stage to express the key goal for the end of the year, from flight expansion to the first of many new destinations.
“By the end of this year, December 2026, we will be growing our fleet size to hit 20 aircraft.
“The first destination that we will be launching will be on Oct 15 to Chengdu,” he said.
Looking to open in the remaining months of the year, other destination routes from Yangon include Mumbai, Osaka, Dhaka, Mangsee, and Doha.
MAI also has established codeshares and interline agreements with more than 46 airline partners from all over the world, such as Air France, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Japan Airlines.
Additionally, Myanmar aims to enhance their tourism market by recommending the Malaysian market with a variety of places and activities, from heritage and spiritual to beach and island, to wellness and slow tourism.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, during his speech, reflected on the correlation between Penang and Myanmar’s connection, as well as Malaysia being chair of the 47th ASEAN summit.
“Actually, this marked an important milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Myanmar and Penang, and it was quite remarkable because 2025 was also the year Malaysia became the chair of the 47th ASEAN summit,” he said.
Wong also welcomed ASEAN travellers to enjoy a short haul of holidays within the region as the improved air connectivity will not only facilitate two-way visits between Myanmar and Penang, but also create greater opportunity for tourism operators on both sides for more collaboration to develop diverse travel packages.
“We look forward to a better arrangement between both sides to encourage greater movement of people and stimulate tourism-driven economic growth for the mutual benefit of both destinations,” Wong said.
Furthermore, since Oct 1, 2025, both Malaysia and Myanmar have enabled a 14-day visa-free travel integration, where tourists from both countries can travel for 14 days. Beneficially, this helped increase flight frequency between the two countries.
In recent years, the Penang government has actively pursued markets across Asia and Europe, continuing to diversify the visitor base and strengthen Penang’s international tourism competitiveness, as well as placing great importance on the Southeast Asian market.
The session concluded with Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan getting on stage to receive a token of appreciation with Wong and Tanes.
As the business matching session aims to establish and grow, providing opportunities for Penang and Myanmar, the collaboration will be a showcase for long-term strengthening connections between culture and tourism.
Story by Ammar Mikhail Aamer
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat