Malaysian airline Batik Air is set to embark on a new venture, launching its longest flight route to date. Beginning on February 10, 2024, Batik Air will connect Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) with Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in both the airline’s and the airport’s history.
The Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Turkey’s second-largest airport, is expanding its global network with this new Kuala Lumpur-centered route. This development underscores the growing prominence of Istanbul as a global aviation hub and strengthens the airport’s position in the international market.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), known for its diverse ethnic, linguistic, and religious landscape, will now be directly accessible from Sabiha Gökçen Airport. This new route offers travelers the chance to explore Malaysia and beyond with greater ease and convenience.
Batik Air Malaysia will operate the Istanbul (SAW) – Kuala Lumpur route four times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This collaboration represents a unique opportunity for Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Batik Air to connect their furthest destinations with a direct flight, clocking in at 10 hours and 50 minutes.
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as the pearl of Asia and a capital for both culture and finance, also serves as a gateway to other popular destinations in Southeast Asia, such as Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Bangkok, and Phuket. This new route will facilitate easier connections to these sought-after locations.
With the addition of Kuala Lumpur to its network, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport now serves 163 destinations across 54 countries. In partnership with Batik Air, which operates 800 weekly flights to 50 destinations in 22 countries, the airport is significantly enhancing its global connectivity in the aviation world.
Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Group Strategy Director of Batik Air, highlighted the strategic importance of this new route in a written statement. He emphasized that choosing Sabiha Gökçen Airport as a gateway was a deliberate decision to connect two key centers – one serving as a bridge to Europe and the other linking Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australia. This route not only facilitates business travel but also offers significant advantages for leisure trips.
This collaboration is a testament to the growing global influence of Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Batik Air’s commitment to expanding its reach. The new Istanbul-Kuala Lumpur route is poised to become a vital link in the chain of global air travel, offering passengers more options for both business and leisure travel. With this development, Batik Air and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport are set to soar to new heights in the aviation industry.
