A DIRECT flight connecting two cities has always been a positive move for increasing the connectivity as well as passengers’ movement.
So, it was a very happy occasion when the Melaka-Penang AirAsia inaugural flight took place today as the passengers were warmly welcomed on arrival at the Penang International Airport.
“Domestically, Penang and Melaka share a lot of similarities when both were jointly listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites back in 2008.
“Through the direct flight the travelling time is shortened tremendously especially for travel and heritage buffs who could now travel to both Penang and Melaka much easier,” state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin told a press conference during the launch of Melaka -Penang AirAsia Inaugural Flight at the Penang International Airport on July 1.
Also present were Tourism Malaysia Northern Region director Ahmad Husni Ahmad Basri, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Penang director Jonathan Freedy, AirAsia government relation’s director Zamani Mohd Rafique, its North Malaysia government relations manager Kenneth Tan and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
Yeoh said PETACH together with Penang Global Tourism have been focusing on domestic tourism just as much as the international markets.
“Moreover, this new addition to the list of domestic flights is timely to boost local tourist arrivals for Visit Penang Year 2020, which is being branded as ‘Experience Penang 2020’.”
The Melaka-Penang AirAsia inaugural flight AK6285 on July 1 departed from Melaka at 2.50pm and arrived at Penang International Airport at 4pm, where it was welcomed with a water cannon salute.
There is seven direct flights per week.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Nur Amirah Husna Roslan