GEORGE TOWN: AirAsia is actively exploring the possibility of increasing flight connectivity to and from Penang as part of its ongoing regional growth strategy, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional accessibility.
AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Captain Fareh Mazputra said the airline is currently evaluating several potential new routes involving Penang, one of Malaysia’s most popular travel destinations.
"We will be doing a lot more study on it. One thing is for sure, as an airline, our job and business is to connect places and people. But of course, we also need to ensure that the connectivity is sustainable.
"So, there are many destinations we want to connect to Penang," he told reporters after a press conference on 'AirAsia RedRun lands in Malaysia for the first time in Penang', which was also attended by State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, here today.
Elaborating further, Fareh said any expansion plans must align with operational sustainability and long-term viability, with the airline particularly focused on 'low-hanging fruit' routes that demonstrate strong demand and immediate commercial potential.
While no specific new routes have been confirmed yet, he indicated that AirAsia's focus remains on regional destinations, with plans to enhance Penang's connectivity within ASEAN and nearby markets.
Meanwhile, Wong said AirAsia carried over 1.8 million passengers through Penang across the region in just the first half of this year and contributes 38 per cent of passenger aircraft arrivals at Penang International Airport based on airport data.
"Currently, AirAsia connects Penang to seven international cities, namely Bangkok, Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Shenzhen, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, and five domestic destinations, including Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi.
"There are 239 weekly AirAsia flights to Penang from international and domestic destinations. Additionally, it facilitates connections from other international cities via the AirAsia Fly-thru programme and provides timely transit flights from international cities through KLIA to Penang," he added.
AirAsia is bringing its highly anticipated RedRun to Penang for the first time, marking the next leg of the airline’s regional initiative to energise travel and spotlight key tourism destinations across ASEAN.
The RedRun Penang will take place on Sept 28 at Gurney Plaza, inviting thousands of participants from across the region to join in three race categories: 3 kilometres (km), 5 km, and 10 km.
Registration for the RedRun is open until Aug 18, 2025. - Bernama
