BENGALURU- IndiGo Airlines (6E), India’s largest airline by passengers and fleet size, has launched non-stop flights from Chennai (MAA) to Penang (PEN) in Malaysia, a city located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
The airline has launched two new flights from two Indian cities to Malaysia starting today, December 21, 2024.
IndiGo Chennai to Penang Flight
IndiGo (6E) will begin regular flights to Penang from the coastal city of Chennai today, December 21, 2024.
Penang is IndiGo’s third destination in Malaysia, following Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Langkawi (LGK), and the airline’s 37th worldwide destination in its ever-expanding network.
IndiGo (6E) began daily flights to Langkawi (LGK) in Malaysia just a few days ago from Bengaluru (BLR) beginning December 16th, 2024.
The airline will launch non-stop flights from Bengaluru (BLR) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Malaysia’s capital city and federal territory. The airline will fly daily between the two cities beginning today, December 21, 2024.
- Flight 6E1045 departs Chennai (MAA) at 02:15 am IST daily and arrives at Penang International Airport (PEN) at 08:30 am local time. The estimated flight time is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
- The return flight from Penang (PEN) to Chennai International Airport (MAA) departs at 09:30 am local time and arrives at 10:35 am IST. The estimated flight time is 3 hours and 35 minutes.
Why Chennai-Penang?
Chennai is now the only Indian city with a direct connectivity to Penang (PEN) in Malaysia. While Penang is known as a popular tourist destination, there is more to this route than meets the eye.
Tamil Nadu has strong historical and cultural ties with Malaysia, namely Penang. According to a recent research, Indians make up approximately 11% of Penang’s population, with Tamilians accounting for the majority of that figure.
This cultural connection makes the Chennai-Penang route an obvious choice, perhaps strengthening ties between the two regions.
Aside from tourism, this aircraft also serves as a link for family, cultural exchange, and even corporate investment, emphasizing the need of a direct connection.
Penang: A Familiar Destination for Chennai
Many believe that this is the resumption of flights rather than the introduction of flights. Well, it is true.
The city of Chennai has witnessed flights to Penang before. The city had flights to Penang back in the 2010s.
This isn’t really a route resumption for IndiGo, but rather a return of nonstop flights in this sector to the city. Chennai had a direct connection to Penang back in 2012.
Air Asia (AK), Southeast Asia’s leading low-cost airline, introduced a nonstop trip between Chennai (MAA) and Penang (PEN), but later discontinued the service due to low demand.
Despite numerous claims in 2015, 2016, and 2018, Malaysian carriers did not actually commence flights to Chennai from Penang.
Another India-Penang Connection which failed
If you thought Chennai was the only Indian city with nonstop flights to Penang (PEN), you’re in for a surprise.
Besides Chennai, another Indian city once had direct access to this renowned Malaysian getaway. Interestingly, this was also a city from Tamil Nadu.
Batik Air Malaysia (OD), formerly known as Malindo Air, began twice-weekly flights between Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) and Penang (PEN) in 2015.
However, the flight had a short lifespan and was cancelled shortly after launch. The airline cited poor demand as the key reason for suspending service between the two cities.
One can only hope that IndiGo, India’s biggest low-cost carrier, can make this industry succeed. The airline appears to be well-positioned, with highly competitive and extremely low fares, as well as extensive domestic connectivity via Chennai.
However, only time will tell if the airline can sustain these flights in the long run.
IndiGo Bengaluru to Kuala Lumpur Flights
IndiGo (6E), the leading airline by market share in Bengaluru (BLR), has launched yet another service. IndiGo’s growth from Bengaluru (BLR) continues with the debut of flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) in Malaysia.
This new service to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) comes shortly after IndiGo’s recent debut of flights to Langkawi (LGK) from Bengaluru (BLR), which commenced December 16, 2024.
The Bengaluru (BLR)-Kuala Lumpur (KUL) flights were announced immediately after IndiGo (6E) and Malaysia Airlines (MH) formed a codeshare agreement.
Bengaluru (BLR) becomes the airline’s second location in India to receive nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL). The airline already operates a daily flight from Chennai (MAA) to Kuala Lumpur.
- The flight, 6E 1037, departs Bengaluru (BLR) every day at 19:05 pm IST and arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 02:00 am local time. The expected flight time is 4 hours and 25 minutes.
- The return flight, 6E1038, departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) every day at 03:00 a.m. local time and arrives at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) at 05:00 a.m. IST. The expected flight time is 4 hours and 30 minutes.
However, this flight represents a proper resumption. IndiGo operated this flight till March 2020. This is the airline’s first return to the sector following the pandemic in nearly five years.
Bengaluru: Key Hub in South India
From having only 6x daily international departures from the city in January 2024 to having around 15x daily international departures by December 2024.
This demonstrates that the airline’s concentration has been strong in the city. Especially with foreign flights.
The airline increased its worldwide presence in the city dramatically. By December 2024, international flights had increased by 150% compared to January 2024. The airline has added some very amazing capacity.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) becomes the airline’s 13th overseas destination, following Bengaluru (BLR). IndiGo also serves 65 domestic locations, with intentions to expand its network beyond the city.
The airline has undoubtedly scored a milestone in Bengaluru (BLR). The airline now operates nonstop flights to 78 destinations from the city.
The airline will add two new domestic flights in the coming days, taking its total to 80 destinations.
The airline has reached a critical milestone in Bengaluru (BLR), serving 78 destinations with nonstop flights.
In the near future, the airline intends to grow beyond the city, adding two more internal routes, extending its total reach from Bengaluru (BLR) to 80 locations.