GEORGE TOWN, Jan 12 — China Southern Airlines will resume direct flights between Guangzhou and Penang beginning March 1 this year.
Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) Yeoh Soon Hin said the airline has been flying to Penang since 1991, and it has been 32 years since it opened the air route between China and Penang.
He said the resumption of the airline’s direct flights would foster more confidence in the state tourism market and offer exciting news for local tourism industry players as China has the world’s highest outbound tourism expenditure.
“We welcome China Southern Airlines to resume the Guangzhou-Penang route during the easing of China’s cross-border restrictions,” he said in a statement today.
Yeoh said the carrier will fly directly from Guangzhou to Penang at 5:25 pm from March 1 onwards and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at Penang International Airport is around 9 pm.
On March 2, the aircraft will depart from Penang International Airport at 9:05 am and the ETA in Guangzhou is at 12:35 pm, he said.
Yeoh further noted that the resumption of air connectivity between Penang and China is part of his obligation to assist all tourism operators in the state.
“Petace has been constantly searching to establish the market presence and popularity of Penang in China.
“We also adapt to the current trends and promote ‘Experience Penang’ in China on short-form video hosting service TikTok,” he said, adding that the TikTok account now has garnered over 200,000 followers.
Petace is also planning to launch a series of online and offline promotional strategies in Northern, Central, and Southern China this year, he added.
