SEPANG, 30 September 2024 - Tourism Malaysia is delighted to welcome Batik Air's inaugural flights, OD587 and OD589, from Krabi and Hat Yai, Thailand, which landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 today at 1540 hrs and 1725 hrs, respectively.

The launch of these new routes marks a significant milestone in expanding connectivity from second-tier Thailand cities to Malaysia, presenting a valuable opportunity to attract more tourists while expanding Batik Air's presence in Thailand. These daily flights, operated using Airbus A320 aircraft, add to the airline's existing routes from Bangkok and Phuket, further enhancing accessibility between both nations.

Tourism Malaysia, alongside representatives from Batik Air and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), was present to greet 260 passengers on these maiden flight.

Thailand remains a key target market for Malaysia, alongside other countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and Australia. This new direct connection underscores the strong collaboration between Tourism Malaysia and Batik Air, as both work towards achieving the ambitious goals of Visit Malaysia 2026, which aims to welcome 35.6 million international tourist arrivals and generate RM147.1 billion in tourism revenue.

With these direct flights, travellers from Krabi and Hat Yai can now easily explore Malaysia's diverse attractions, including the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the pristine beaches of Langkawi, the cultural treasures of Melaka, and the opportunity to immerse themselves in Malaysia's unique cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and renowned culinary delights.

Tourism Malaysia remains committed to enhancing its marketing efforts to attract more Thai tourists. By forming strategic partnerships and collaborating with both domestic and international airlines, Malaysia aims to strengthen its presence in key markets and ensure a seamless travel experience for visitors from Thailand.

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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 realisation 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.

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