Myanmar Airways Launches Yangon-Penang Direct Flight to Boost Tourism for VM2026

PENANG, 10 April 2025 – Myanmar Airways International (MAI) has launched a new direct flight between Yangon and Penang, a move set to enhance tourism, trade, and cultural ties ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). The twice-weekly service, operating every Monday and Thursday, uses an Embraer 190 aircraft with a capacity of 96 passengers per flight, offering seamless travel between the two cities.

The inaugural flight, MAI 8M505, touched down at Penang International Airport today, warmly welcomed with a ceremony attended by notable figures, including H.E. U Aung Soe Win, Myanmar Ambassador to Malaysia; YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism & Creative Economy; and Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia.

This new route strengthens MAI’s footprint in Malaysia, building on its existing Yangon-Kuala Lumpur service, which began in April 2022 and now operates 14 weekly flights.

A Boost for Tourism and Connectivity

Datuk Manoharan Periasamy highlighted the significance of the route, stating, “The Yangon-Penang direct flight is a game-changer for tourism, especially as we gear up for VM2026. This connection will drive more international visitors to Penang, fostering opportunities for leisure and business travellers while deepening cultural ties. It also positions Malaysia as a premier Southeast Asian destination, showcasing our diverse offerings.”

MAI’s CEO, Mr. Tanes Kumar, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Penang’s rich culture and vibrant appeal make it an ideal addition to our network. This route underscores our commitment to regional connectivity, supporting stronger business and tourism links between Myanmar and Malaysia. We look forward to welcoming more passengers with our signature hospitality.”

YB Wong Hon Wai added, “This new flight elevates Penang’s role as a global gateway, boosting our tourism, business, and cultural exchange prospects. We’re excited to welcome more visitors from Yangon to experience Penang’s unique attractions, including our world-class medical tourism services.”

Growing Travel Ties

The route comes at a time of rising travel demand between Malaysia and Myanmar. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 147,133 Myanmar visitors, a 43.4% jump from 102,587 in 2023 and a remarkable 157.1% surge from 57,232 in 2019, reflecting Malaysia’s growing appeal as a travel destination.

With VM2026 on the horizon, Tourism Malaysia sees this flight as a key step toward promoting sustainable tourism and strengthening regional ties, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Visiting Year 2023-2025.