Chongqing - On July 23, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport welcomed its first direct flight to Penang, Malaysia. Firefly flight FY3846, with 180 passengers, landed smoothly at Terminal 3, marking the launch of this new route.

The aircraft of Firefly Airlines Malaysia. (Photo/Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport)

This new direct service is the first regular passenger route between Chongqing and Penang and the only direct flight connecting Penang with central and western China.

Firefly Airlines will run the route three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The Boeing 737 will depart Penang at 21:30 and arrive in Chongqing at 02:00 the next day. Flights from Chongqing will leave at 03:00 and reach Penang at 07:30. The flight duration is about 4 hours and 15 minutes.

The new direct route between Chongqing and Penang. (Graphic/Zheng Ran)

Penang, Malaysia's second-largest city, is known for its cultural and historical attractions, including Georgetown, a UNESCO Heritage site, Love Lane, Chinatown, Kek Lok Si Temple, and Pinang Peranakan Mansion.

The introduction of this route comes at a time when China and Malaysia have implemented a mutual visa-free entry policy, further facilitating travel between the two destinations.

One-way fares from Chongqing to Penang start at 1,200 yuan (approximately USD 165), including taxes. Tickets can be booked on Firefly's official website or through travel platforms like Ctrip and Fliggy.

The new route is part of Jiangbei International Airport's broader expansion of international flights. So far, the airport has served over 800,000 international passengers, nearly doubling last year's numbers and surpassing all of 2023.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport currently operates 26 international routes with over 150 weekly flights to cities like Seattle, London, Paris, and Sydney. The airport is also planning tourist charter flights to Koh Samui, boosting Chongqing's role as an inland hub.

(He Le, an intern, also contributed to this article.)