THE highly anticipated Penang-Chennai direct flight resumed today, marking a significant milestone as IndiGo’s inaugural service touched down at the Penang International Airport (PIA).
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai described the event as a historic moment and a celebration for Penang.
“The successful establishment of this direct route is the result of collaborative efforts involving Tourism Malaysia, IndiGo, PIA, the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), and other stakeholders,” said Wong, who was at the airport to welcome the arrival of IndiGo’s passengers and crew when they landed at around 8.08am.he IndiGo flight (6E1045) from Chennai International Airport departs at 2.15am (local time) and arrives at PIA at 8.08am (local time). The return flight (6E1046) departs Penang at 9.30am and lands in Chennai at 10.35am (local time). This daily service will provide seamless connectivity between the two cities.
As of November 2024, Malaysia had welcomed over 1.01 million Indian visitors, a 47% increase from 2019 and a 71.7% growth from the previous year.
PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekaran said the Penang-Chennai flight opens new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
“The Penang-Chennai flight is a three-and-a-half-hour journey.
“I was just told that one of the passengers in a wheelchair, who just landed, had been waiting for this moment for 15 years. A great job to everyone involved,” Ashwin said.
