Hainan, here we come: Penang gets new direct China flight in Oct

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 12 — The inaugural direct flight from Haikou to Penang is set to commence on Oct 11, marking Haikou as the ninth Chinese city with a scheduled direct air connection to the Malaysian state, according to State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai. This new route aims to bolster air connectivity between Hainan and Penang, providing greater opportunities for the Malaysian state to tap into the vast China tourism market.

Following a meeting with Hainan Airlines representatives in Guangzhou, it was confirmed that Haikou would join Guangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Qingdao, and Chongqing as direct flight destinations for Penang. The inaugural service, HU477, will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays, departing from Haikou Meilan International Airport at 5.30 pm and arriving in Penang at 8.45 pm, with the return flight scheduled for 9.45 pm from Penang and landing in Haikou at 1 am the following day.

With a permanent resident population of 3.0563 million in Haikou and around 10.55 million in Hainan Province, the new air link promises to enhance Penang's appeal as a tourism destination, consolidate its existing China tourist market, and create a more favorable environment for the state to capitalize on China's extensive tourism potential.

Beyond tourism, the improved air connectivity will strengthen ties between Penang and Hainan in various sectors, including business, creative industries, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, as Penang serves as an electronics manufacturing hub and a logistics node, while Hainan's Hainan Free Trade Port provides a key free trade platform in China.