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Tag: penang

  • DHL Express Boosts Trade Potential with Expanded Cargo Capacity on Hong Kong-Penang Route

    DHL Express Boosts Trade Potential with Expanded Cargo Capacity on Hong Kong-Penang Route

    DHL Express has enhanced its network with increased capacity for the Hong Kong to Penang route. A Boeing 767 freighter will now ply the route, taking over from the previous Airbus A321, adding an extra 20 tons of cargo capacity per flight.

    Meeting Rising Demand

    Operating on a daily basis with its partner Raya Airways, DHL is poised to meet the increasing demand for time-sensitive shipments from technology and semiconductor manufacturers in Malaysia’s northern manufacturing hub. The Boeing 767 freighter provides enhanced payload and range capabilities, thus accommodating more shipments. This ensures that clients in Penang are better linked to their trading partners in Hong Kong and beyond.

    Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express, expressed pride in the firm’s significant footprint and network that have contributed to the growth in Penang, a long-standing attractive destination for tech giants. “The introduction of a larger aircraft and a daily schedule not only increases capacity, but it also reaffirms our commitment to connecting Asia’s innovation hubs with the rest of the world. As trade routes evolve, we remain focused on maintaining our network’s flexibility and agility to cater to changing customer needs,” Bardens said.

    Supporting Malaysia’s Growing Role

    This strategic enhancement reflects DHL’s commitment to bolster Malaysia’s growing role in global supply chains, particularly in the electronics and semiconductor sectors. This move is timely as Penang continues to attract high-value investments and expand its footprint in the global tech ecosystem. The state marked a significant manufacturing investment of approximately EUR2.56 billion (RM12.5 billion) in the first half of 2025, a 150% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

    Julian Neo, Country Manager, DHL Express, Malaysia, affirmed that the network enhancement aligns with findings from the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker 2025. It showed that Asia Pacific is increasingly central to global trade, despite geopolitical tensions and tariff disruptions. “Intra-Asia trade continues to show momentum, with Malaysia ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing trading nations globally in the first half of 2025,” said Julian Neo.

    Strengthening Partnerships

    “Our partnership with DHL Express has grown over the years through operational reliability and close collaboration. The introduction of the Boeing 767 further strengthens our support for Penang’s expanding electrical and electronics industries, while enhancing Malaysia’s connectivity to global markets. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we grow our capacity and serve the evolving needs of our customers,” said Mohamad Najib Ishak, Group Managing Director, Raya Airways.

    Malaysia’s trade value growth highlights its resilience and increasing significance in global supply chains, despite shifting trade dynamics. DHL Group has identified Malaysia as one of the 20 global markets with the highest growth potential. The recently concluded DHL GoTrade Summit 2025, held for the first time outside Germany in Kuala Lumpur, also underscores the logistics provider’s commitment to elevating local enterprises and reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a key player in the global marketplace.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of the Boeing 767 freighter in DHL’s operations?
    The Boeing 767 freighter adds an extra 20 tons of cargo capacity per flight, offers enhanced payload and range capabilities, and accommodates more shipments.

    How does the network enhancement impact Malaysia’s position in global trade?
    The enhancement bolsters Malaysia’s growing role in global supply chains, particularly in the electronics and semiconductor sectors, and strengthens Malaysia’s connectivity to global markets.

    What does the DHL GoTrade Summit 2025 signify?
    Held in Kuala Lumpur, the summit underscores DHL’s commitment to supporting local enterprises and reinforces Malaysia’s position as a key player in the global marketplace.

  • Penang Aims for Global Recognition by Expanding Its Durian Kampung Varieties Registry

    Penang Aims for Global Recognition by Expanding Its Durian Kampung Varieties Registry

    The Malaysian state of Penang is working to register more varieties of local durian kampung from its orchards to further expand its portfolio of recognized durian species. In a move to elevate the status of Penang’s tasty treasure, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has announced efforts to register additional varieties of the beloved durian kampung, highlighting that their flavor rivals even the state’s most prized hybrid offerings, as reported by Malay Mail.

    “We have many high-quality durian kampung that deserve recognition. I urge producers to take steps toward registering their unique varieties,” he stated during the launch of a durian outreach initiative at Rain Tree Farm in Taman Permatang Tinggi Indah.

    Recently, Penang registered two new hybrid varieties, Tupai King (D214) and Cenderawasih, bringing its count of officially recognized durians to over 200. Chow remarked, “With this extensive range, we are eager to enhance our global visibility for these products.”

    Ambitious in its outreach, Penang is not just targeting neighboring countries like China and Singapore but is also setting its sights on new markets across India, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. And while the durian is often dubbed the “king of fruits,” it seems it also aims to take on the world.

    Chow expressed optimism that these initiatives will invigorate Penang’s agricultural sector, particularly its durian industry, generating economic benefits for rural communities while also enticing young people toward careers in agrotechnology and agrotourism.

    Among the lush orchards of Balik Pulau, Penang is home to an impressive lineup of durian varieties, including the renowned Black Thorn, Musang King, and Ang Heh (Red Prawn). Last year alone, the region exported 67,203 kilograms of durians, with Musang King and Black Thorn in high demand, according to reports from The Star.

    Questions & Answers

    How is Penang promoting its durian varieties on a global scale?
    Penang is expanding its international presence by targeting not only China and Singapore but also entering new markets in India, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.

    What steps is the Penang government taking to enhance durian growers’ recognition?
    The government encourages producers to register their high-quality durian kampung varieties, thereby expanding its catalog of recognized durians while showcasing them to international markets.

    What impact could the promotion of durians have on Penang’s economy?
    The push for global recognition of Penang’s durian varieties is anticipated to boost the agricultural sector, provide economic opportunities for rural areas, and attract youth to careers in agrotechnology and agrotourism.

  • Durian Lovers Unite: Penang Hotels Entice Tourists with All-You-Can-Eat Offers!

    Durian Lovers Unite: Penang Hotels Entice Tourists with All-You-Can-Eat Offers!

    Hotels across Malaysia’s Penang Island experienced exceptional occupancy rates over the recent long weekend, with at least 85% filled, and some establishments reaching full capacity. Travelers flocked to the island lured by enticing tour packages that paired accommodations with unlimited durian feasts—an indulgent combination that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts.

    Tony Goh, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels’ Penang chapter, remarked on the vibrant hotel scene, stating, “The hotels were bustling and performed strongly during the long weekend. Beachfront and town-area hotels were nearly at full capacity.” This year’s durian harvest season, which coincided with school holidays, has spurred hotels to craft unique tourism experiences around the beloved “king of fruits.”

    “Penang is renowned for its orchards, yielding durians that are distinctive to our region,” Goh explained. He highlighted the popularity of local varieties, especially the celebrated Musang King and Black Thorn, each offering a unique flavor profile that excites die-hard durian aficionados. “For durian enthusiasts, these are intricate tastes to savor and explore,” he added, underscoring the culinary adventure awaiting visitors.

    Wong Hon Wai, chairman of Penang’s tourism committee, also emphasized durian’s undeniable allure, confirming that its reputation as a crowd-puller is well-deserved. Remarkably, this surge in tourism has translated into significant increases in ridership on the Penang Hill funicular train, with a striking 38% uptick noted between May 30 and June 2. “The ridership reached 33,521 over the past four days, compared to about 4,000 on typical non-peak days,” Wong pointed out.

    Beyond its culinary appeal, durian contributes significantly to Malaysia’s economy, serving as one of the country’s top fruit exports. In the previous year, exports to China reached a whopping US$212 million, following the establishment of a special protocol for durian imports. This year, Malaysia aims to escalate its durian exports to China by over 20%, all while ensuring the authenticity and revered brand of the Musang King variety remain intact.

    As the durian craze intensifies, one wonders—could this beloved fruit be the ticket to revitalizing Malaysia’s tourism industry?

    Questions & Answers

    What has driven the high hotel occupancy rates in Penang?
    This spike is largely attributed to innovative tour packages that pair hotel stays with limitless durian feasts, satisfying the cravings of many durian lovers.

    How did durian-related tourism impact local attractions?
    The influx of visitors led to a significant increase in ridership of the Penang Hill funicular train, with a remarkable 38% jump in attendance during the recent long weekend.

    What are Malaysia’s goals for durian exports?
    Malaysia is targeting a more than 20% increase in durian exports to China this year, focusing on maintaining the authenticity and brand strength of its premium Musang King variety.

  • AirAsia expands Asia presence with Penang-Hong Kong route

    AirAsia expands Asia presence with Penang-Hong Kong route

    AirAsia continues to expand its presence in Asia with a route to Hong Kong from its third biggest hub in Penang starting 10 August 2023.

    This route marks the airline’s seventh direct international route from Penang and is set to further boost regional inbound tourism to the state, bolstering an already thriving state tourism industry. The three weekly flights will add to a total of 217 flights weekly from Penang to both domestic and international destinations.

    The route was announced by YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE); Ooi Chok Yan, CEO of Penang Global Tourism (PGT); and Kenneth Tan, Director, Government Relations (Northern Region) at AirAsia at Komtar, Penang.

    YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) said: “We are confident that the addition of three weekly flights from Hong Kong will not only reinforce Penang’s status as a top tourist hotspot in Malaysia but will also contribute significantly to the island’s overall appeal. Hong Kong is part of China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA) which refers to the Chinese government’s scheme to link their rapidly developing regions together into an integrated economic and business hub. By connecting with China’s GBA, it would be advantageous for Penang to attain higher tourism and economic growth.”

    “The Penang State Government firmly believes that through collaborative efforts with industry players such as AirAsia, we can harness the full potential of our local tourism industry.Forging strong partnerships with private sectors, implementing innovative marketing strategies and investing in infrastructure development will undoubtedly boost visitor arrivals, extend their length of stay and enhance their overall travel experience.”

    Riad Asmat, AirAsia Malaysia CEO said: “We are excited to reconnect Penang to Hong Kong after launching it for the first time in 2009 where we established Penang as a hub at the same time. We are also thrilled to be the only low-cost carrier connecting both islands directly, providing more value and greater accessibility to our guests. This is an exciting historical route for AirAsia and we anticipate a remarkable response from both leisure and business travellers alike.

    “AirAsia Group has the largest international connectivity from Penang with a market share of 40%. This expansion not only strengthens AirAsia’s foothold beyond Asean but also reinforces our commitment to fostering economic growth through tourism. We look forward to working closely with the state government to support the tourism industry and stimulate air travel to the Pearl of the Orient.”

    In celebration of the route announcement, the airline is offering incredible promotional fares starting today from RM299 all-in* one-way for travel period from 10 August 2023 to 26 October 2023. Click on the ‘Flights’ icon on the airasia Superapp or website for booking and explore the iconic Hong Kong for a steal!

    AirAsia Group operates 217 flights weekly via ten routes to Penang from Kuala Lumpur (67x weekly), Johor Bahru (28x weekly), and Langkawi (21x weekly) as well as Singapore (35x weekly), Ho Chi Minh City (7x weekly), Jakarta (11x weekly), Bangkok (14x weekly), Medan (28x weekly), Surabaya (3x weekly), and Hong Kong (3x weekly).

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  • AirAsia announces flight resumption to Japan and a new direct route from Penang to Bali

    AirAsia announces flight resumption to Japan and a new direct route from Penang to Bali

    AirAsia today announced the resumption and launch of flights to Japan, namely Tokyo, Sapporo (via AirAsia X) and Fukuoka. Moreover, the airline company also announced the launch of a new direct route from Penang to Bali.

    In a press release regarding its 5 million free seats sale today, AirAsia reminded consumers that there are only 2 days left for them to grab flight seats under the promotion. Launched on Monday (19 September 2022), the promotion has been super successful with over 500,000 seats being sold within just 48 hours, with the free seats meaning that consumers only have to pay for airport taxes and other applicable charges.

    For the resumption of flights to Japan, AirAsia elaborated that seats are now on sale following the recent announcement by the Japanese government to lift travel restrictions starting 11 October 2022. Accordingly, AirAsia is offering flights to Japan from RM599 for Economy and from RM2599 for Premium Flatbeds. Besides that, AirAsia X will also be resuming popular flights to Jeddah starting November 2022, starting from RM1799 for Economy and RM2999 for Premium Flatbeds.

    As for the new direct route from Penang to Bali, AirAsia is offering seats from RM159 for travel between 20 October 2022 to 25 March 2023. The seats are now on sale for the first time ever on the airasia Super App and AirAsia official website.

    For those that prefer to travel domestically, AirAsia also announced flights to local destinations start from RM23 inclusive of taxes and charges. For more information, do follow @flyairasia on Instagram/Facebook or @airasia on WeChat/Weibo for the latest updates. As always, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for the latest trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond.

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  • AirAsia Food to spread its wings to Johor and Penang next month

    AirAsia Food to spread its wings to Johor and Penang next month

    Almost a year since its introduction in the Klang Valley area, AirAsia food is now set to spread its wings to other major cities in the country starting with Johor and Penang next month.

    AirAsia Bhd chief executive officer Riad Asmat said the business was recording very positive growth, especially during the return of Conditional Movement Control Order between October to December 2020, and the trajectory remained promising into 2021.

    He said under its expansion plan, the company had started an entrepreneurial program to recruit more talents to grow AirAsia food together in the upcoming potential markets, as well as securing more merchants under its umbrella”

    People are ready and looking for more (food delivery services) options right now and our offerings at AirAsia food, be it from the customer and merchant’s perspective, can accommodate their needs within the market,” he told Bernama in an interview recently.

    Riad named Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, and Kota Bharu as the next potential markets.

    As for the international market, he said the company aimed to mark its presence in Singapore next month, and other markets such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand soon.

    Launched during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in May 2020, AirAsia food is a seamless, fuss-free, and affordable food delivery platform for merchants as it runs on a flat-rate model that is equivalent to only a 10 percent commission rate.

    He said at present, it has the lowest commission rate in the market as other platforms’ commission fees range between 15 percent and 30 percent, and AirAsia food is the only platform that offers a flat rate.

    Merchants can also easily control their menu and prices and receive extended delivery coverage of up to 60 kilometers compared to a 15-kilometer coverage by other food ordering platforms.

    Riad said although there are service providers that have been in the market much longer, AirAsia food believes that the market is big enough for one more alternative with the advantages it can bring to the table.

    He said AirAsia food provides merchants with a competitive offering, which directly and indirectly can help them reap a greater return in terms of profitability and low cost, which in turn benefits their customers.

    As one of the businesses under the airasia.com Asean super app, AirAsia food is supported by airasia.com’s ecosystem of over 60 million users who are able to earn and pay with their BIG Points, he said.

    “The advantages of merchants joining us will be on the basis of the strong structure, including from the technology and client perspectives. A merchant now will get a potential exposure of up to 60 million clients within our ecosystem,” he said.

    On prospects, Riad said sales picked up during the lockdowns but the business would remain relevant in the future after vaccines are made available, as technology helps people to meet their needs in a very convenient way.

    “If you give the right products that people want and keep enhancing the business with innovation, surely you can sustain the business for a long period.

    “Our growth at AirAsia food does not only help local food businesses, but also has a spillover effect in creating more job opportunities,” he said.

    To-date, AirAsia food employs more than 1,500 teleporters (riders) offering services to 1,200 restaurants around the Klang Valley

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  • AirAsia and Penang Tourism Collaborate to Provide More Value Deals for Domestic Tourists

    AirAsia and Penang Tourism Collaborate to Provide More Value Deals for Domestic Tourists

    AirAsia and Penang Global Tourism (Penang State Tourism Bureau) have announced a new collaboration that will offer more travel options and value-added services to domestic tourists visiting Penang.

    The partnership will see airasia.com, the Asean super app pair-up with Penang Global Tourism Board to offer travelers a variety of Penang travel bundles as well as a joint marketing effort.

    Penang State EXCO For Tourism And Creative Economy (PETACE), YB Yeoh Soon Hin said, “We are observing a positive rebound on tourism activities and we are working towards accelerating the recovery of tourism, supporting jobs and the economy and increasing tourism receipts. Partnering with key travel players like airasia.com will assist us to amplify our efforts and to offer more diverse travel and tourism products by leveraging on their wide product offerings.

    “I am proud to say that Penang is at the forefront once again in assuring safe travels to our visitors. In July 2020, Penang launched the ‘Penang Responsible Tourism’ campaign. Furthermore, we have also launched the COVID-19 safety accreditation program to strengthen preventive measures undertaken by Penang’s tourism industry players. These initiatives are the first-of-its-kind in Malaysia, intending to instill confidence in travelers when visiting Penang.”

    “To further reiterate, Penang is the first in Malaysia to kickstart the “Penang Responsible Tourism” campaign and the accreditation program.”

    airasia.com Chief Commercial Officer, Amanda Woo said, “We would like to thank Penang Global Tourism Board for working with us to provide more value for travellers. Now, visitors to Penang can conveniently plan their trip with all the exciting offers made available through this collaboration under one platform on airasia.com. We hope people will take the opportunity to explore and enjoy more of what Penang has to offer.

    “We are also expanding our network from Penang to Kota Bharu with three times weekly flights which commenced yesterday, while the new route from Penang to Sibu is set to kick off in January 2021. We hope the added connectivity will provide much-needed accessibility for the Northern travelers, as well as to revive the domestic tourism industry. ”

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  • AirAsia expands Penang hub

    AirAsia expands Penang hub

    Travellers flying out of Malaysia’s northern hub Penang can now book AirAsia newest flights to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, China.

    AirAsia will launch a Penang- Chengdu service 8 March with three weekly direct flights.

    AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat said: “Penang is one of our largest secondary hubs in Peninsular Malaysia, to which we flew more than 2.4 million guests to the island last year. This is our first route from Penang to Mainland China, and we are confident this additional route will continue to boost visitor arrivals into Penang, and vice versa.”

    Members all-in fares from Penang to Chengdu start from MYR99*, available for booking on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app until 19 January 2020, for travel between 8 to 28 March 2020.

    Return flights with three-day, two-night hotel stays starting from as low as MYR332** per person are also up for grabs through SNAP on airasia.com.

    Best known as home to the adorable giant pandas, Chengdu is a thriving city with many natural, cultural and historical sights. Some of the must-visit attractions include the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Jinli Ancient Street and the Leshan Giant Buddha and Wenshu Monastery.

    Named by UNESCO as a “City of Gastronomy”, many popular Chinese dishes such as Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken originate from the region. Travellers can also choose to unwind by enjoying aromatic tea at any of the local teahouses.

    Chengdu is also a gateway to the western territories of China, including Tibet, which its capital Lhasa is home to the historical centre of Tibetan Buddhism and famous Potala Palace; as well as the Unesco World Heritage Site Jiuzhaigou, one of the most scenic places in China.

    Besides Chengdu, AirAsia currently flies to 12 destinations from its Penang hub, namely Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Surabaya, Jakarta, Medan, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

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  • AirAsia launches new flights to Chendu from Penang

    AirAsia launches new flights to Chendu from Penang

    Low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd has launched new flights to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, China for travelers flying out of Malaysia’s northern hub Penang.

    These new three times weekly direct flights commencing 8 March 2020 will provide exclusive air connectivity between Penang to Sichuan Province.

    “We are excited to announce our first new route of the new year, welcoming Visit Malaysia 2020 and in conjunction with Experience Penang 2020.

    “Penang is one of our largest secondary hubs in Peninsular Malaysia, to which we have flown more than 2.4 million guests to the island last year.

    “This is our first route from Penang to Mainland China and we are confident this additional route will continue to boost visitor arrivals into Penang, and vice versa,” AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Riad Asmat said in a statement today.

    Best known as home to the adorable giant pandas, Chengdu is a thriving city with plenty to do and taste.

    With many natural, cultural and historical sights, some of the must-visit attractions include the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Jinli Ancient Street and the Leshan Giant Buddha and Wenshu Monastery.

    Named by UNESCO as a ‘City of Gastronomy’, many popular Chinese dishes such as Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken originate from the region.

    Travelers can also choose to unwind by enjoying aromatic tea at any of the local teahouses.

    Chengdu is also a gateway to the western territories of China, including Tibet, which its capital Lhasa is home to the historical center of Tibetan Buddhism and the famous Potala Palace, as well as the Unesco World Heritage Site Jiuzhaigou, one of the most scenic places in China.

    Besides Chengdu, AirAsia currently flies to 12 destinations from its Penang hub, namely Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Surabaya, Jakarta, Medan, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

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  • Starbucks store opening in Penang

    Starbucks store opening in Penang

    A second Starbucks signing store has opened in Malaysia, this one in the heart of Penang’s historical deaf community.

    The world’s fourth Starbucks signing store it is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, accessibility and diversity. It employs six deaf and seven hearing employees fluent in Malaysian Sign Language, expanding career advancement opportunities for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Malaysia.

    Starbucks’ first signing store globally opened in 2016 in Kuala Lumpur. The outlet’s success has inspired Starbucks to open signing stores in Washington DC in the US and in Guangzhou, China.

    In partnership with the Penang Deaf Association, Starbucks will support the professional training and development of the store’s employees, including internship opportunities and sign language classes.

    The three-story, 4600sqft store showcases how digital innovation enhances inclusive design. The store has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing employees and customers, including visual alarms, digital trays, and point-of-sale systems with an attached customer display.

    The Starbucks signing store also features a unique wall mural created by local deaf artist Lim Anuar, along with unique merchandise featuring sign language to raise awareness of the deaf community.

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  • AirAsia’s Penang-Melaka flights to start Early July

    AirAsia’s Penang-Melaka flights to start Early July

    AirAsia will begin its new direct flight from Penang to Melaka on July 1, 2019. The budget airline said the flights would boost tourist arrivals to Melaka, helping to support the state government’s target to attract 20 million visitors in 2019.

    In a statement today, AirAsia said in its quest to celebrate this milestone, the airline is offering free seats for the new route with all-in member fares from as low as RM12 for one-way travel.

    Chief executive officer Riad Asmat said with its Unesco world heritage listing and rich history, Melaka is a choice tourist destination in Malaysia.

    “This new route further strengthens our tourism footprint in Malaysia, providing more options for international visitors to travel between the states of Penang and Melaka.

    “We look forward to continuing our work to explore even more new routes to Melaka from other parts of our Asean network,” he said.

    To mark the occasion, AirAsia is offering its guests up to 50% off hotels in Melaka or Penang, and an extra 5% off using the promo code HOTEL5.

    To book, log in to airasia.com or the AirAsia mobile app from now until April 21, 2019 and travel from July 1, 2019 to June 2, 2020. “To book for hotel in Penang and Melaka, you can visit https://bagasi.my/hotel for more recommended stays.”

  • AirAsia receives highest number of air traffic rights from Mavcom

    AirAsia receives highest number of air traffic rights from Mavcom

    Airasia received the highest number of approvals from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) for Air Traffic Rights (ATR) with 26 allocations, followed by Malindo Air with 15 allocations.

    This was revealed in an update release from Mavcom for the Commissions’ allocation of ATR to Malaysia’s local carriers for the period of Jan 1 to march 31, 2019.

    One hundred percent of Air Traffic Rights (ATR) applications by Malaysia’s local carriers for the period of Jan 1 to March 31, 2019 were approved by MAVCOM, with 53 allocations in total. Of these, 52 ATR applications were approved in full while one application was approved partially.

    As reference, for the year 2018, a total of 205 ATR were issued. AirAsia Group was recorded as the highest recipient with 98 ATR allocated, followed by Malindo Air with 52.

    Of the 53 applications, 32.1 per cent were for domestic routes while 67.9 per cent was for international routes. Mavcom approved ATRs for 17 domestic routes, 13 for routes to Asean destinations, 11 for destinations in China, two for destinations in India, five for destinations in Australasia and five for other Asian destinations.

    Breaking down the numbers further, a total of 26 international ATR were issued for flights originating from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, three for Kota Kinabalu International

    Airport, one each for Penang International Airport and Senai International Airport and five for other airports in Malaysia.

    In addition, 20 ATR that were previously approved by Mavcom were not utilised by the ATR recipient and were returned to the Commission during the period of Jan 1 to March 31, 2019.

    The highest number of unused ATR returned to the Commission was from the AirAsia Group with 13, followed by Malindo Air with five.

    “In allocating ATR, the Commission undertakes a thorough analysis, taking into consideration multiple aspects in order to facilitate orderly growth, competition and consumer choice over the long term as well as the prevention of consumer inconvenience,” Mavcom executive chairman Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi said in a statement.

  • Sunshine department store Penang goes online via Shopee

    Sunshine department store Penang goes online via Shopee

    Penang department store Sunshine has launched on online shopping platform Shopee with expectations of doubling its income. According to Sunshine’s CEO Cynthia Hwang, the move to list initially 1500 products, as well as the brand’s in-house fashion label Iloveasap, on the platform would target 16 million users throughout the country while leveraging Shopee’s free shipping and Super Brand Day.

    “Further expansion into the online realm with the opening of an official store on Shopee will see a bigger contribution to the brand’s revenue growth,” she said.

    “As a whole, it is part of our aspiration to help to grow Malaysia in terms of providing more choices, better and easier accessibility for quality products and enable consumers to purchase from trusted sellers such as Sunshine Online,” added Shopee Malaysia category manager Tan Ming Kit.

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  • Air Asia introduces two new international routes from Hanoi and Phuket to Penang

    Air Asia introduces two new international routes from Hanoi and Phuket to Penang

    Expanding its wings even further, AirAsia marked another milestone by celebrating its new international inaugural flights from Hanoi in Vietnam and Phuket in Thailand, into its Penang hub at the Penang International Airport (PIA) here today.

    Its three-hour flight from Hanoi touched down at PIA at 12.50pm, carrying passengers up to 80 per cent load, while the Phuket flight will land later tonight at 11.05pm.

    The inaugural flight from Hanoi was received by state Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, AirAsia Malaysia Head of Commercial Spencer Lee and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.

    Lee said AirAsia was pleased to strengthen its Penang hub further with the two new routes. He said the AirAsia Group had flown over 11 million guests in and out of Penang since 2015.

    “In 2017 alone, we had 3.5 million passengers, and for this year until June, we already have two million guests.

    “We are happy to share that we are leading the market in Penang with 68 per cent of direct routes as of this April.

    “We look forward to further boosting tourist arrivals, while at the same time, connecting Penangites and the northern community to more destinations internationally with the AirAsia network,” he said in his speech.

    Yeoh said that the two new direct routes from Hanoi and Phuket would further boost the number of tourists arriving from these two cities.

    “This upward trend in Penang tourism is a good indicator for a robust economy in the immediate foreseeable future,” he added.

    The four-times weekly direct flight from Hanoi and daily direct flights from Phuket are the seventh and eighth new routes launched by the airline into Penang as a group, thus further strengthening the Asean footprint through connectivity aside from the Kuala Lumpur hub.

    The flights heading to Hanoi will take off at 6.15am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The return flights from Hanoi will take off at 8.50am Vietnam time on the same four days every week.

    The one-hour flight to Phuket will depart at 8.25pm daily while the return flight will take off at 11pm Thailand time.

    In conjunction with the momentous occasion, AirAsia is offering celebratory promotional all-in-fares from RM119 flight to Hanoi and RM79 flight to Phuket, both flights from Penang.

    The special promotion is available for booking from July 2 to July 8 for the travel period between July 2, 2018, to Jan 31 next year.

    Guests can visit airasia.com or use the AirAsia mobile app on the iPhone or Android devices to enjoy the special promotional fares.

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  • AirAsia now flies directly from Penang to Hanoi and Phuket

    AirAsia now flies directly from Penang to Hanoi and Phuket

    AirAsia is flying directly to two popular Asean destinations from Penang – bringing the popular Malaysian state closer to Hanoi in Vietnam and Phuket in Thailand. Starting from July 1, flights to Hanoi will operate four times weekly while flights to Phuket will operate daily.

    AirAsia Malaysia commercial head Spencer Lee said Penang is a great tourism hub due to its Unesco World Heritage status, vibrant cultures and beautiful architecture.

    “More importantly, its strategic location at the crossroads in the region has helped boost the growing inbound and outbound travel demand that saw seven million tourist arrivals via air travel last year,” he said.

    Lee added that the new routes will improve the tourism sector in the region. “We are positive that the latest routes will significantly contribute to the tourism sectors of all three countries to become a desirable tourism region for travellers across the world,” he said.

    Hanoi is one of Vietnam’s main cultural centres and is steeped in rich history. The capital city boasts a bustling yet laid back atmosphere with attractions easily explored on foot such as the Hoan Kiem Lake with its famous red bridge that will lead you to the Ngoc Son or Temple of Jade Mountain located on Jade Island.

    Travellers can soak up the emerald green beauty of Halong Bay that is made up of over 3,000 limestone islets and home to caves and grottos as well as fishing villages.

    The picturesque town of Sapa in the north also awaits travellers with its rugged scenery of rice terraces and lush greenery popular for mountain trails or cycling expeditions. In addition to Sapa, travellers can also opt for other parts of northern Vietnam such as Son La and Bac Ha.

    A tour around Phuket’s town will uncover many charming old world architecture.

    Meanwhile, Phuket is more than Patong’s endless beach umbrellas and Soi Bangla’s nightlife. There are several beautiful beaches, breathtaking viewpoints, and both relaxing and extreme activities to fill your itinerary.

    A winding road leads to the top of Nakkerd Hill, where the Big Buddha marble statue looks over the island. Then, move into the interior of Old Phuket Town for a walking tour of this once-neglected district.

    Also, don’t miss the islands of Phang Nga Bay. Whether paddling into lagoons within limestone cliffs on a kayak or taking a speedboat tour of James Bond Island and the village-on-stilts Koh Panyee, you’re bound to have a memorable day cruising around these dreamy islands.