DOHA, 12 February 2018: Qatar Airways is now serving Penang with three weekly nonstop flights from Doha.
The inaugural flight touched down at Penang’s international airports, mid-last week.
Having established its first service to Kuala Lumpur in 2001, the airline now flies triple daily services to Kuala Lumpur. The Penang flight gives the airline two destinations in Malaysia.
Launching a route to Penang is part of the airline’s business plan to serve more destinations in Southeast Asia than its nearest rivals Emirates and Etihad.
Qatar Airways’ flight, QR 850 to Penang, uses a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that departs Hamad International Airport at 0230 and lands at Penang International Airport 1430 on the same day.
In July, the airline plans to increase frequencies to Penang from three to four flights weekly.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “Our Kuala Lumpur service started in 2001, and it has since grown to triple-daily direct flights to and from Doha. We are tremendously pleased to now offer our passengers another exciting destination to experience in this beautiful country.
The airline recently launched direct services to Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Pattaya, as well as adding additional services to Krabi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.”
Penang’s airport is growing rapidly recording 7 million passenger movements last year.
The Boeing Dreamliner serving the route has features 22 seats in business class and 232 seats in economy class.
