TransNusa has launched scheduled Jakarta–Penang flights as part of its regional expansion strategy, inaugurating the new international route from Penang on 24 November 2025. The service connects Soekarno–Hatta International Airport and Penang International Airport and will move from three weekly flights to daily operations from 1 December. The airline positions the route as a response to rising travel demand between Indonesia and Malaysia and as a way to deepen its presence in Southeast Asia.
The carrier developed the Jakarta–Penang route in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and Penang International Airport, completing the process in less than 6 months. Penang becomes TransNusa’s third active route linking Indonesia and Malaysia, reinforcing the airline’s strategy to grow regional market share ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026. The launch is designed to support both leisure and business travel flows while feeding traffic into one of Malaysia’s busiest gateways.
Expanding Indonesia–Malaysia connectivity
TransNusa Group CEO Dato’ Bernard Francis said the Jakarta–Penang service aligns with the airline’s focus on major regional hubs. “Penang International Airport (PIA) is Malaysia’s second-busiest airport and provides access to more than 20 international and domestic destinations,” said Dato’ Bernard Francis, Group CEO, TransNusa. He added that PIA has become “the strongest alternative to KLIA, offering robust long-term incentive structures that many secondary airports in the region do not yet provide,” making the new route “not only viable but highly strategic for our network expansion.”
According to TransNusa, the route was realised in under 6 months through close cooperation with Tourism Malaysia and Penang International Airport, reflecting strong cross-border support to improve passenger mobility. The airline intends to raise frequencies further in 2026 as part of its broader network growth roadmap. With Visit Malaysia 2026 approaching, TransNusa also plans joint promotions, trade engagements and connectivity initiatives with Tourism Malaysia to stimulate two-way tourism and business travel.
Initially, flights operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday before shifting to daily service. Flight 8B 633 departs Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta International Airport at 5:30 a.m. and arrives in Penang at 9:00 a.m., while the return flight 8B 632 leaves Penang at 9:30 a.m. and lands in Jakarta at 10:55 a.m. The timetable is timed to allow same-day connections within both countries’ domestic networks and to support weekend and short-break travel patterns.
TransNusa is promoting the Jakarta–Penang launch with fares starting from IDR1.199.000, RM299, CNY520, USD75, AUD109 and SGD100. For its international flights, the airline emphasises a combination of premium-style services and competitive pricing, supported by a tiered product structure. Branded bundles include SEAT, SEAT-PLUS and FLEXI-PRO, which package different levels of flexibility, baggage and onboard benefits.
“Our passengers will enjoy check-in baggage 20kgs,” said Dato’ Bernard Francis, Group CEO, TransNusa, noting that this allowance is in addition to a 7 kg hand-carry limit. “For the highest package, FLEXI-PRO, we provide services such as free baggage up to 30kgs, free to choose seats, free food, and drinks, priority at check-in and boarding counters,” said Dato’ Bernard Francis, Group CEO, TransNusa. He added that FLEXI-PRO passengers can change flight schedules without restrictions and receive refunds when needed.
The airline operates the Jakarta–Penang route with Airbus A320 aircraft configured with 174 seats, giving passengers around 30 inches of legroom. TransNusa positions this layout as comparable to the experience on full-service carriers while maintaining a cost structure that supports aggressive pricing in competitive regional markets. The carrier says the combination of legroom, baggage entitlements and fare bundles is designed to appeal to travellers seeking both comfort and value.
“We are committed to providing affordable and competitive ticket prices, while still providing premium services to our customers,” said Dato’ Bernard Francis, Group CEO, TransNusa. With the new Jakarta–Penang flights, the airline continues to build out its regional footprint and tap growing intra-ASEAN demand. As frequencies increase and cooperative marketing with Tourism Malaysia scales up, the route is expected to play a larger role in TransNusa’s network and in strengthening air links between Indonesia and northern Malaysia.
