PENANG will be welcoming a new direct flight from a city in China every month from January till April this year, said State Exco for Tourism, Wong Hon Wai.
He said this was in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and coupled with the state's niche as a preferred destination for higher education and also its beautiful beaches.
Wong said that China's budget airliner - Spring Airlines launched its Shanghai-Penang direct flight on January 30, followed by the Guangzhou-Penang direct flight.
The inaugural flight brought over 170 passengers aboard an Airbus aircraft - a four-hour flight from southern China to the "Pearl of the Orient."
This will be succeeded by Qingdao Airlines’ Qingdao – Penang route on March 31, while Chongqing Airlines is scheduled to commence its Chongqing – Penang direct flight on April 8.
"The new direct flights demonstrate Penang’s growing appeal in the Chinese market and the steady enhancement of its aviation connectivity.
“The inaugural Guangzhou–Penang flight will be operated by Spring Airlines and has officially touched down in Penang," he said after greeting the surprised passengers.
The launch of this route symbolises closer ties between the two cities and injects fresh momentum into people-to-people exchanges, tourism collaboration and industrial cooperation, as well as opportunities in higher education.
He described the new flight route as a significant milestone in strengthening connectivity between the two destinations.
“As of December 2025, Penang recorded 325 international direct flights per week. Following the launch of Spring Airlines’ daily Shanghai–Penang service and the thrice-weekly Guangzhou–Penang service, Penang’s international direct flight frequency has increased to 335 flights per week.
“This represents an increase of 68 weekly flights, or 25.5%, compared to 267 weekly international flights in August 2023, underscoring Penang’s steadily strengthening position as a regional aviation hub," he said.
As of the end of 2024, Guangzhou’s population stood at 18.978 million, while Guangdong Province’s total population exceeded 127.8 million.
In terms of the economy, Guangzhou recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) of RMB3.10325 trillion in 2024, placing it firmly among China’s top five cities by GDP and within the first tier of cities exceeding RMB3 trillion in economic output.
Guangdong province has long maintained its position as China’s largest provincial economy, ranking first nationwide in GDP.
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The international airport in Bayan Lepas, has apparently recorded over eight million passengers last year, an audited figure, which is said to be a record.
Despite ongoing upgrading works, the airport is said to be among the busiest in the region, surpassing others in Alor Setar, Langkawi and Ipoh.
Recalling earlier engagements, Wong said that discussions on the Guangdong route had begun in November 2025.
“During that period, I met with the Spring Airlines delegation for in-depth discussions on the potential launch of the Guangzhou–Penang route, exchanging views on market prospects and avenues for cooperation,” he said.
Wong also pointed out that the Cantonese community forms an important part of Penang’s Chinese population, following the Hokkien (Minnan) community as the second-largest Chinese dialect group in the state.
“Penang is home to numerous Cantonese associations and clan halls that play significant roles in social and cultural affairs” he said.
“In this regard, the Guangzhou–Penang direct flight not only facilitates family visits and reunions between the two places, but also enhances cultural and people-to-people exchanges, further strengthening the deep-rooted historical and emotional bonds between Guangdong and Penang,” Wong said. - February 2, 2026.
