Chinese carrier 9 Air begins Penang-Haikou charter flights on Nov 18, offering three weekly services to boost Malaysia-China connectivity.
GEORGE TOWN: Chinese low-cost carrier 9 Air will launch direct charter flights between Haikou and Penang starting November 18.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the route will initially operate as a charter service with potential for regular scheduled flights.
The flights will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Flight AQ1297 will depart Haikou Meilan International Airport at 1.15am, arriving at Penang International Airport at 5.35am.
The return flight AQ1298 will depart Penang at 6.35am, arriving in Haikou at 10am.
Wong said the launch follows Penang hosting the 18th World Hainanese Congress from November 14-16.
“Penang and Hainan established a friendly state-province relationship in 2013,” he noted.
Penang Island and Sanya City also formed a friendly city relationship in 2017.
The new route expands Penang’s air connectivity with Southern, Western and Southwestern China.
It provides a more convenient aerial bridge for tourism, trade and cultural exchanges between the regions. – Bernama
