GEORGE TOWN, Oct 1 — Sichuan Airlines will increase the frequency of its direct flights between Chengdu and Penang to daily service starting late October with the implementation of its Winter Schedule.
State Tourism and Economic Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the Chengdu Tianfu–Penang route, which was launched on April 30 this year with five weekly flights, has recorded encouraging results.
In a statement today, he said the daily service will run from late October until March 2026.
“Flight 3U3911 will depart Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 7.40 pm (local time) and arrive at the Penang International Airport at 12.05 am the following day, and flight 3U3912 will depart Penang at 1am and arrive in Chengdu at 5.10am,” he said.
He said that there are currently nine airlines operating direct flights between Penang and six cities in China, namely Chengdu (Sichuan Airlines), Xiamen (Xiamen Airlines), Guangzhou (China Southern Airlines), Shenzhen (Shenzhen Airlines and AirAsia), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express), and Shanghai (Juneyao Airlines and Shanghai Airlines).
Wong said these connections broadly cover East China, South China and South-west China, forming a comprehensive and robust air connectivity network.
He said there are currently 61 scheduled flights per week connecting Penang and Chinese cities, and with the Chengdu Penang route increasing to daily service, the total will rise to 63 weekly flights.
“Penang received 121,030 Chinese visitors via international flights between January and July this year, a 103.7 per cent increase compared to 59,420 visitors during the same period last year.
“When compared to the same period in 2023, which recorded 16,480 visitors, this represents a dramatic 634.4 per cent increase,” he added.
He said the surge in arrivals highlights strong demand from the Chinese market and reinforces Penang’s standing as a premier international tourist destination. — Bernama
