GEORGE TOWN (Nov 23): China Southern Airlines (CSA) plans to add more direct flights from Guangzhou to Penang by next year.

CSA Penang General Manager Liu Zhen Hua said the airline would increase the flight frequency between the two destinations from seven flights per week to 11 flights per week.

He noted there had been a rapid growth in demand from China tourists to visit Penang, with food, culture, heritage sites, shopping and the people being the main attractions.

“On average, each plane is at least 80 per cent full for every flight from Guangzhou to Penang,” he said during a press conference in Kebaya Seven Terraces today.

Liu added that his long-term goal was to have at least 20 flights from Guangzhou to Penang, but did not give a timeframe.

He explained that there were several factors to consider in order to achieve the goal, including the airport capacity, networking with various countries and flight demand.

“It is not something that can be done within two or three years. It can pose a huge challenge,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were nine media representatives from Guangzhou, who are visiting Penang from Nov 21 to Nov 24 as part of the airline and Tourism Malaysia’s effort to promote the state in China and attract potential Chinese tourists to visit Penang.

Tourism Malaysia Ambassador for China, Datuk Jimmy Choo, also attended the function.

China Southern Airlines, established in 1991 with main headquarters located in Guangzhou, China, is currently Asia’s largest airline in fleet size.

Source: The Edge Markets

Photo Credit: China Southern Airlines