Batik Air Opens Batam Route, Giving Penang Its Fifth Indonesian Air Link
Batik Air's first Batam flight touched down in Penang on 18 October, adding a fifth Indonesian city to the state's direct air network.
Penang now has a direct flight from Batam, making the city the fifth in Indonesia to be linked to the state by air. Batik Air’s first service on the route arrived at Penang International Airport on 18 October.
Penang’s tourism exco, YB Wong Hon Wai, said at the airport’s welcome ceremony that the route draws communities together. He described it as a new gateway for tourism, business, healthcare and family visits between Penang and the Riau Islands.
Schedule
Flight OD359 departed Hang Nadim International Airport (BTH) at 11.30am Batam time and landed in Penang at 1.40pm local time. In the other direction, OD358 pulled out of Penang at 10.10am and reached Hang Nadim at 10.50am Batam time.
The service runs three times weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Indonesia and Penang
Batam sits alongside Jakarta, Surabaya, Banda Aceh and Medan on the list of Indonesian cities with direct flights to Penang. Together they stretch the state’s Indonesian air network across Sumatra, Java and the Riau Islands.
Indonesia is Penang’s top source of international arrivals and has the most direct flights to the state of any country.
The launch came a week after Wong headed a Penang tourism roadshow in Batam, where the delegation met travel industry partners and shared recent developments in the state’s tourism products. Wong said the roadshow introduced what Penang has to offer, and the new flight makes it simpler for travellers to follow through.
In his view, Batam opens the way into the wider Riau Islands, a market with potential in leisure, medical and business travel. He added that the route should also tempt more Penang residents to visit Batam, so that tourism and exchanges flow both ways.
Penang is already a familiar and trusted choice for many Indonesians seeking healthcare, and the flight gives patients and their families from Batam and nearby areas one more way to travel.
Visitors can also see the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings and living traditions. Local food draws on Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan cooking. Penang Hill offers cooler air and broad views, while the coast and the mainland have scenery, communities and attractions suited to longer stays.
The route supports Visit Malaysia 2026, Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 and Visit Malaysia 2027. Wong said good air links make destinations easier to reach, widen traveller choice and help tourism businesses find new markets.
He congratulated Batik Air and thanked the airport authorities, Penang Global Tourism and industry partners for getting the service started. He said the goal is a link that benefits both Penang and Batam over the long term.
Source: PenangToday
