Batik Air launches direct flights from Batam to Penang
where2life | 5 November 2026 | 0 | Happening Now , Travel , Travel Buzz
By V. Sivaji
Adding another dimension to Penang’s booming tourism industry, Batik Air launched its direct flight from Batam, Indonesia to Penang International Airport (PIA) on Sunday Oct 18, 2026.
Flight No OD359 landed at 1.40pm and was greeted by the customary water salute ceremony.
Present to welcome the arriving passengers was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai, YB Wong Yuee Harng, YB Joseph Ng, YB Teh Lai Heng, along with Dato Tony Goh, MAH Penang Chapter chairman, Penang Global Tourism Chief Executive Officer Ooi Chok Yan, Mary Ann Harris, Executive Director PMED, Tourism Malaysia Northern Region Director Abdul Hadi Che Man, MOTAC Penang Director Dr Annuar Mohamed, Bapak Safaat Ghipur representing the Consul of Indonesia in Penang, Bavani Veeriah representatives Batik Air among other industry players.
The direct Batam–Penang service currently operates three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Wong expressed his delight in seeing another direct flight connectivity to Indonesia.
“The launch of this new route marks Penang’s establishment of direct air connectivity with its fifth city in Indonesia, joining Jakarta, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, Medan and now Batam.
“This further expands Penang’s air connectivity network in Indonesia, strengthening tourism exchanges and regional connectivity between Penang and Indonesia. It brings our communities closer and opens a new gateway for tourism, business, healthcare and family visits between Penang and the Riau Islands.
He also added that just last week, he had led a Penang delegation to Batam for our Penang tourism roadshow and met travel industry partners, shared the latest developments in our tourism offerings and explored opportunities to bring more visitors from Batam and the wider Riau Islands to Penang.
“Our task moving forward is to build on this momentum. By working closely with our airline, travel, hospitality and healthcare partners, we can turn interest into bookings, develop attractive travel packages and encourage repeat visits,” he added.
He also shared that the addition of Batam allows us to reach further into the Riau Islands, unlocking new potential in a market with strong prospects for leisure, medical and business travel. We hope this route will also encourage more people from Penang to discover Batam, supporting tourism and exchanges in both directions.
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