TransNusa Aviation will launch a new direct flight between Jakarta (CGK) and Penang (PEN) on Nov 24, announced state Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai.
“This marks TransNusa’s first-ever route to Penang, making it a milestone for both destinations,” Wong said in a press statement. “Moreover, the timing of this inaugural flight aligns perfectly with Malaysia’s full preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, reflecting Penang’s ongoing commitment and readiness to welcome more international travellers.”
He added that the launch of this new route provides another vital link between Penang and Indonesia, strengthening regional air connectivity while fostering closer people-to-people and cultural ties. Ticket sales are now officially open on the TransNusa website.
The Jakarta – Penang flight, operating under flight code 8B-633, will depart Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) at 5.30am (Jakarta time) and arrive at Penang International Airport (PEN) at 9am (Penang time). The service will initially operate 3 times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) before increasing to daily service from December 2025.
The return flight, 8B-632, will depart Penang at 9.30am (Penang time) and arrive in Jakarta at 10.55am (Jakarta time), following the same frequency schedule.
Wong highlighted that 2026 is not only Visit Malaysia Year (VMY 2026) but also Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT 2026). This new route, he said, comes at a very timely juncture, further strengthening Penang’s position as a key regional hub for both medical and leisure tourism.
He noted that Indonesia, with a population of 285.7 million, is the fourth most populous country in the world, while Jakarta alone has more than 10 million residents. The new direct connection will make it even easier for the vast Indonesian traveller segment — particularly those from Jakarta — to reach Penang conveniently.
According to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), Penang remains Malaysia’s most successful medical tourism destination, contributing about 45% of the nation’s total healthcare travel revenue — a true pillar of the country’s medical tourism industry.
Wong added that Indonesia has consistently been Malaysia’s largest source market for medical tourism, accounting for 65.8% of total national medical tourism revenue. In northern Malaysia, up to 90% of healthcare travel receipts come from Indonesian visitors, underscoring the significance of this market to Penang.
“Beyond the healthcare segment, Indonesia has also long remained Penang’s top international arrival. From January to September 2025, Penang welcomed 284,364 Indonesian visitors arriving via international flights — a 2.5% increase compared to 277,533 in the same period last year — demonstrating steady growth and continued demand from Indonesian travellers,” he said.
“In this context, the launch of TransNusa’s direct Jakarta–Penang route perfectly meets market demand,” Wong continued. “For Indonesian travellers, Penang stands out for its quality yet affordable medical services, short flight distance, and rich blend of cultural and leisure attractions — offering both healing and holiday experiences in one destination.”
Pix courtesy of the state Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) office