Firefly's Phuket-Penang flights return

27th Aug 2022

Firefly Airlines has restarted its Phuket-Penang service with the arrival of its first scheduled aircraft to the island in more than two years.

All planned flights between the two locations had been cancelled indefinitely because of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, yesterday, flight FY3600 from Penang arrived in Phuket at 2:20pm with 134 passengers on board the freshly rebuilt Boeing 737-800.

Firefly Airlines, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, has stated that the new schedule would include four weekly flights between the two locations. After starting service between Seletar and Singapore in June, this is the airline's second foreign destination.

"The global travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of numerous flight routes, particularly in the Asean region," said Firefly Airlines CEO Philip See after the introduction of yesterday's trip.

"Now that limitations have been relaxed, consumers are eager to travel again. "The introduction of our new Boeing 737-800 earlier this year will assist in driving traffic and bringing more passengers to connected cities and popular tourist destinations such as Phuket," he said.

Mr. See added that flights have been purposefully scheduled to arrive in Phuket in the early afternoon so that passengers have ample time to clear the airport, check into their accommodations, and begin enjoying the island's attractions, such as its world-class beaches, markets, and street entertainment. Similarly, visitors to Penang will appreciate discovering the city's spectacular colonial architecture and history, picturesque beaches, and some of the world's greatest street cuisine.

Nongyao Jirandon, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Kuala Lumpur, said, "It's nice to see Malaysians from Penang viewing Thailand as a desired tourist destination, and it's even better that they can now go to the island with Firefly. The history and culture of Penang and Phuket are comparable, so Malaysian visitors would feel at home in Phuket. Simultaneously, one may enjoy Phuket's characteristic southern food and its stunning beaches. This year, Phuket received 890,000 international visitors. Thailand also accepted almost 560,000 Malaysians between January and August, Ms. Nongao said.

Nantasiri Ronnasiri, Director of TAT's Phuket office, said, "Phuket has a lot to offer travellers, including breathtakingly stunning beaches and delectable local cuisine, from Michelin-starred restaurants to street food. There are also several hotels and resorts that provide safe and sanitary accommodation for Malaysian travellers.

Ooi Chok Yan, Executive Chairman of Penang Global Tourism, said, "We are dedicated to increasing the number of visitors visiting Penang, and the reintroduction of Firefly flights to regional areas would only assist us in achieving this goal."

Mr. Ooi continued, "Penang is much more than a secluded beach getaway. The city is known as the Pearl of the Orient and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History, art, and culture coexist with current developments, such as Penang Hill, which was recently designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It has a lot of beautiful old buildings, and its history, art, and culture live side by side with modern advances.

From Penang, Firefly also offers service to Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu. Customers who fly on the Boeing 737-800 can choose value packages that include the ability to change flights, the chance to earn reward points, 20 kg of checked luggage, hot meals on board, and priority with bags, boarding, and seat selection.

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