Phuket-Penang direct flights to launch April 13

PHUKET CITY: As part of a drive to boost the number of tourists to Malaysia, Malaysian Airlines’ new low-cost carrier Firefly airlines will start daily direct flights between Phuket and Penang beginning April 13.

Malaysian Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor discussed the new service at a press conference at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on Thursday.

Firefly, which will launch on April 2, will also start daily direct service between Samui and Penang on April 15.

Last year, about 1.9 million of Malaysia’s 17.5 million tourists were from Thailand, and Tourism Minister Adnan said that the country wants to increase that number to 2.2 million in the upcoming year.

“This year is very special year for Malaysia because Malaysia is going to celebrate our 50 years as an independent nation,” he said.

The target is 20.1 million tourists to Malaysia this year, he added.

Mr Adnan said that this year there will be 240 events held throughout Malaysia, which he hopes will attract Thai tourists.

The Malaysian Tourism Minister played down the troubles in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, saying that it had little effect on tourism in other areas.

“That’s why I’m traveling here. I’d like build confidence in my people that there is nothing wrong with Phuket, Haad Yai, Songkhla or anywhere else in southern Thailand,” he said.