Penang will soon be connected directly to Haikou, the capital of China’s Hainan Province, as Chinese carrier 9 Air prepares to launch chartered direct flights between the two cities starting November 18.
Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, announced that the new Haikou–Penang route will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Initially introduced as a charter service, the route has the potential to evolve into a scheduled regular service if demand remains strong.
The inaugural flight, AQ1297, will depart from Haikou Meilan International Airport at 1:15 a.m. and arrive at Penang International Airport at 5:35 a.m. The return leg, AQ1298, will leave Penang at 6:35 a.m. and land in Haikou at 10:00 a.m.
Wong said the launch comes at a timely moment, following the conclusion of the 18th World Hainanese Congress, which will be held in Penang from November 14 to 16. The congress will bring together Hainanese leaders and guests from around the globe, and the new flight route will further strengthen cultural and business ties between Penang and Hainan.
“The Haikou–Penang connection is more than just a flight route; it’s a continuation of the friendship between our two regions,” Wong said, noting that Penang and Hainan established a friendly state-province relationship in 2013, later followed by a city-level partnership between Penang Island and Sanya in 2017.
Currently, Penang is served by regular international flights operated by nine airlines, linking the state to six major Chinese cities: Chengdu, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Charter services also connect Penang with Chongqing, Xi’an, Kunming, and Guiyang.
With 9 Air’s new service, Penang’s air connectivity to southern, western, and southwestern China will be further strengthened, providing greater convenience for tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges.
“The expansion of Penang’s flight network underscores our commitment to positioning the state as a key gateway between Malaysia and China,” Wong added.
