LANGKAWI, 28 October 2024 – LOT Polish Airlines has officially launched its inaugural charter flight from Warsaw to Langkawi, marking a significant milestone in strengthening travel links between Poland and Malaysia. This new connection is set to enhance tourist traffic between the two destinations.

The maiden flight touched down at Langkawi International Airport (LGK) and was greeted by a welcoming ceremony led by Deputy Secretary General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dr. Yasmeen Yasim. Representatives from Tourism Malaysia, the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), and Nowa Itaka were also present to celebrate this occasion. The aircraft was honoured with a ceremonial water salute upon arrival, symbolising the growing ties between Poland and Malaysia.

The new direct flight will operate once a week every Sunday until March 2025, bringing more convenience to the people of the two countries in bridging the economic and cultural exchange and investment. As of September 2024, Malaysia welcomed 24,362 visitors from Poland, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and the total of 21,472 Polish tourists recorded in 2023.

As part of the welcoming efforts, LADA is also planning a series of promotional activities, including guided tours, cultural events, and immersive local experiences to ensure that Polish tourists have an unforgettable experience in Langkawi. LADA is optimistic that these initiatives will help increase air arrivals and raise the total number of tourists to Langkawi to an estimated 3 million by the end of this year.

Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid, Chief Executive Officer of LADA, remarked: “The arrival of these charter flights from Poland is a remarkable milestone for Langkawi's tourism industry. We are eager to showcase the island’s natural beauty and warm hospitality to our Polish visitors. This initiative not only boosts our local economy but also strengthens international relations and cultural exchange. Our partnership with ITAKA was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding at ITB Berlin 2024.”

The introduction of this new route presents an excellent opportunity to attract more European tourists to Malaysia. As part of the ongoing efforts to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), Tourism Malaysia remains dedicated to forging strategic partnerships with international airlines to boost promotional initiatives and stimulate travel demand, further positioning Malaysia as a top destination for global travellers.

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About Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene.

The next Visit Malaysia Year, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation's tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia actively endorses the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), working towards the realization of the IMT-GT Visiting Year 2023-2025, with the shared aim of promoting the region as a unified tourism destination. For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

About Langkawi Development Authority (LADA)

The Federal Government established Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) to plan, encourage and implement development on Langkawi Island. LADA was officially established on 15 March 1990 under the Langkawi Development Board Act 1990 (Act 423) and placed under the Ministry of Finance.

For enquiries, please contact:

Adibah Mohd Basri
Senior Assistant Director
International Promotion Division (America, Europe & Oceania)
adibah@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +603 8891 8367

Kamal Azam Kamaruddin
Senior Tourism Officer
Corporate Communications Division
kamalazam@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +603 8891 8754

Lina Azlina Zali
Manager
Corporate Communication Unit
lina_azlina@lada.gov.my
Tel: +604 9600 626