Firefly to launch flights from Penang to Changi Airport on March 26

For now, travellers on Firefly flights have to depart from Seletar Airport. - LIANHE ZAOBAO

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Malaysian low-cost carrier Firefly will launch direct flights from Penang International Airport to Singapore Changi Airport on March 26.

Currently, travellers on Firefly flights have to depart from Seletar Airport. They will arrive in Subang Airport, also known as Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Selangor, before taking another flight to Penang.

When Firefly starts operating out of Changi Airport Terminal 2 on March 26, passengers can fly directly to Penang in the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Tickets for this direct flight are on sale starting Friday (March 3), the airline said in a statement.

Firefly will operate between the two cities twice daily, departing from Penang at 10am and 6.35pm. The flight from Singapore will be at 12.40pm and 9.15pm.

The flight will be operated by the airline’s newly retrofitted aircraft equipped with 189 seats, the airline said.

Firefly resumed flights from Seletar Airport to Subang Airport in June 2022.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) chief executive of Airlines Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi said since the resumption last year, the airline has seen strong travel demands from both sectors, particularly the business segment.

“This is due to the strategic location and perfect timing, which allows customers from both countries to travel for business activities conveniently,” he said.

Firefly is a subsidiary of MAG.

Luqman added that its recently launched jet operations into Banda Aceh and Medan have provided another option between Northern Sumatra and Singapore.

“Hence, we are pleased to expand our footprint in Singapore by connecting the northern region of Malaysia from Penang to Singapore’s main hub and tap into the wider markets from the leisure segment,” he said.

Travellers who travel between Penang and Singapore said they will consider the extra flight service from Changi Airport.

Singapore permanent resident Lyn Goh who heads home to Penang monthly takes AirAsia and Firefly airlines.

The 32-year-old regional sales manager last took a Firefly flight from Seletar Airport in January, which had a 1.5-hour-layover at Subang Airport.

With Firefly launching flights from Changi Airport, she said: “The direct flight from Changi Airport will definitely be better than from Seletar Airport, since the direct flight will save us time compared to a layover in Subang.”

However, another traveller who wants to be known as Ang, said she will consider various factors, such as the timings, before deciding if she should book the Firefly flight from Changi Airport.

The 33-year-old Malaysian, who works as a customer success manager in Singapore, noted that Firefly offers only two departure timings from Changi Airport.

“It’s still good to have another airline option to consider, and if they’re affordable.”

Some airlines that fly directly from Changi Airport to Penang include Scoot, AirAsia and Jetstar.