Indonesian airline TransNusa will increase its Jakarta-Penang route to daily flights next month, strengthening tourism and medical travel connections between both destinations.
GEORGE TOWN: TransNusa Aviation will increase its Jakarta-Penang flight frequency to daily beginning next month.
The Indonesian airline currently operates the route three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said this expansion signals TransNusa’s confidence in Penang as a vibrant destination.
“This is TransNusa’s first route to Penang,” Wong said in a statement.
“It not only expands the state’s international air connectivity but also strengthens cultural exchange, economic ties and longstanding friendship between Penang and Indonesia.”
The inaugural flight departed Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 5.30am local time and arrived at Penang International Airport at 8.20am.
Wong noted the new route’s timing aligns with next year’s designation as Malaysian Medical Tourism Year.
Indonesia currently accounts for nearly 90% of Penang’s medical tourism market.
From January to September 2025, Penang received 284,364 visitors from Indonesia.
This represents a 12.3% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Direct air links between Indonesia and Penang now connect four cities: Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya and Banda Aceh.
The state government hopes to build strong, long-term cooperation with TransNusa.
Wong said the route opening aligns with the national tourism agenda and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
