AirAsia strengthens Asean connectivity with new Penang–Phuket route

AirAsia Malaysia has announced a new Penang–Phuket route to strengthen ASEAN connectivity and boost tourism between Malaysia and Thailand.

Route Details
- Launch date: December 8, 2025
- Frequency: Four weekly flights between Penang and Phuket
- Fares: Promotional fares starting from RM179 one-way (Penang → Phuket) and THB1,690 one-way (Phuket → Penang)
- Booking window: Available until December 21, 2025, for travel between March 13 and October 24, 2026, exclusively via the AirAsia MOVE app and [airasia.com](https://www.airasia.com)

Strategic Importance
- Medical tourism hub: Penang is a leading medical-tourism destination, recording over 200,000 foreign patients and nearly RM500 million in revenue as of August 2025.
- Tourism synergy: Phuket is globally recognized for beaches, wellness centers, and lifestyle appeal. The direct route creates a leisure and medical travel corridor.
- Regional demand: Malaysia is Thailand’s top source of foreign tourist arrivals, with over 4 million Malaysians visiting Thailand in 2025.
- Penang hub expansion: This is AirAsia’s second Thailand route from Penang, complementing Penang–Bangkok services and connecting to 130+ destinations across ASEAN.

Leadership Statements
- Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra (CEO, AirAsia Malaysia): Emphasized the role of the new route in supporting Visit Malaysia 2026 and boosting inbound/outbound traffic.
- YB Wong Hon Wai (Penang State EXCO for Tourism & Creative Economy): Highlighted the positive economic impact and deeper Malaysia–Thailand ties.

This move positions Penang as a stronger regional hub while giving travelers more affordable and seamless options across ASEAN.