GEORGE TOWN (Jan 15): Chongqing Airlines will operate direct flights from Chongqing to Penang beginning April 8, significantly strengthening air connectivity between Penang and Western China, said Penang state executive councillor Wong Hon Wai. Wong said Penang Global Tourism and Chongqing Airlines signed a memorandum of cooperation in Chongqing Wednesday to formalise their strategic partnership in the aviation and tourism sectors. He noted that the scheduled direct flights were a result of his leading a state government delegation to Chongqing on a tourism promotion programme in September 2024. "At that time, charter flights operated by Firefly between Chongqing and Penang were also introduced,” said Wong, who is in charge of tourism and creative economy. He said that as a key aviation hub in Western China, Chongqing has a large population base of 31.9 million and a mature outbound travel market.

Source: The Edge Markets January 15, 2026 07:40 UTC