PENANG’S healthcare travel sector is set to receive a boost, with Indonesian carrier TransNusa launching its first direct flight between Jakarta and Penang this month.
“This inaugural flight is timely as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 and Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 campaigns,” said Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
The service, which would begin on Nov 24, would mark the airline’s debut route to Penang and strengthen air connectivity between Indonesia and Malaysia, he said.
The flight 8B633 will depart Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 5.30am (Jakarta time) and arrive in Penang at 9am (local time).
Wong says the new flight connection will strengthen people-to-people and cultural ties.
The return flight, 8B632, will leave Penang at 9.30am and land in Jakarta at 10.55am (Jakarta time).
The flights are three times weekly − on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays − before becoming a daily service from December.
Wong said the new connection would further strengthen people-to-people and cultural ties, while easing travel for Indonesian patients seeking medical treatment in Penang.
“Indonesia remains the largest source of Malaysia’s healthcare travellers, contributing about 65.8% of total national healthcare travel revenue.
“In northern Malaysia, up to 90% of healthcare travel receipts come from Indonesian visitors.”
Wong said Penang contributed about 45% of the nation’s total healthcare travel earnings.
He cited United Nations Population Fund data showing Indonesia’s population to be 285.7 million, with over 10 million in Jakarta alone.
“This new direct connection will make it even easier for Indonesian travellers, especially those from Jakarta, to reach Penang conveniently,” he said.
Between January and September this year, Penang received 284,364 Indonesian visitors via international flights, a 2.5% rise from 277,533 compared to the same period last year.
Wong said the new flight would also support broader two-way travel in leisure, business, education and culture, enhancing regional cooperation and connectivity.
“With TransNusa joining Penang’s expanding air network, the state’s international links continue to grow.
“This not only reinforces Penang’s role as a regional hub for tourism and healthcare travel, but also strengthens our strategic position ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026,” he said.
