KUALA LUMPUR, 21 October 2026: Batik Air has strengthened air connectivity in Northern Malaysia by launching direct service between Batam’s Hang Nadim International Airport and Penang International Airport.
Batam is in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province, a one-hour and 25-minute flight from Penang.
The airline schedules three weekly services departing Penang on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using a 169-seat B737-800. The round-trip fare starts at USD187 (Kayak quote).
Flight schedule
OD358 departs Penang (PEN) at 1010 and arrives in Batam (BTH) at 1050.
OD359 departs Batam (BTH) at 1130 and arrives in Penang (PEN) at 1355.
The new Penang-Batam route reflects the airline’s commitment to expand travel options in Malaysia’s northern region and support Penang’s growing potential as a regional medical tourism hub.
By connecting Batam directly to Penang, Batik Air aims to create more opportunities for tourism, cross-border business, and healthcare travel, further supporting the region’s long-term growth and development.
The inaugural flight arrived at Penang International Airport on 18 October, marking a milestone in Batik Air’s continued regional network expansion.
The new Batam–Penang (BTH–PEN) route strengthens the connection between Indonesia’s Riau Islands and northern Malaysia, offering passengers a more convenient option without the need for transit stops.
As northern Malaysia strengthens its position as a key regional travel destination, the new service offers more opportunities for Indonesian visitors to discover Penang’s rich cultural heritage, renowned culinary scene, and diverse tourism attractions. At the same time, the direct connection is designed to facilitate business exchanges and strengthen economic ties between the two destinations, reinforcing the importance of accessible air connectivity in supporting sustainable regional growth.
Beyond leisure and business travel, the Batam–Penang route also underscores Batik Air’s commitment to supporting Penang’s continued development as a medical tourism destination.
Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the new route reflects the airline’s long-term vision of strengthening regional connectivity, providing more accessible travel options, and creating greater opportunities for Northern Malaysia.
“As we continue to grow our regional network, our focus is on opening new gateways, expanding travel choices and connecting markets with strong potential. The Batam–Penang route strengthens ties between Indonesia and Northern Malaysia, while supporting Penang’s ambitions as a leading destination for tourism and medical care. We see air connectivity as a key enabler of long-term growth and remain committed to building a future-ready network that delivers greater value to our passengers and the communities we serve.”
(Source: Batik Air)
