01/04/2026
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Qingdao Airlinesโs Inaugural Flight
Speech by Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) โ YB Wong Hon Wai
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, members of the media, good afternoon.
Today, we gather here to warmly welcome the inaugural arrival of the QingdaoโPenang direct flight. It is a moment of great joy and profound significance. The launch of this route is by no means an overnight achievement, but rather the result of sustained efforts, close collaboration, and the collective commitment of many parties.
Just last week, I had travel to Qingdao, China, to attend the โQingdaoโPenang Direct Flight Launching and Cooperation Matchmaking Eventโ. The event brought together an esteemed gathering of stakeholders, including the Qingdao Municipal Government, management of Qingdao Airlines and representatives from the local tourism industry. This clearly reflects the strong commitment and unified support from both government and industry in Qingdao towards the successful launch of this route.
Both sidesโgovernment agencies and industry players alikeโhave undertaken extensive and meticulous preparatory work. Notably, tourism, education, and trade and logistics stakeholders from Penang and Qingdao have also recently signed multiple cooperation agreements. Leveraging this direct flight, we aim to foster closer collaboration, strengthen people-to-people connections, and expand economic exchanges across multiple sectors, ultimately achieving mutual benefit and shared growth.
With the launch of this route, Qingdao now becomes the northernmost Chinese city with a direct air link to Penang. This QingdaoโPenang direct flight, operated by Qingdao Airlines, is not only the first-ever direct connection between the two cities, but also the first direct route from Shandong Province to Penangโmarking a milestone of considerable significance. It signifies Penangโs successful expansion into the northern and northeastern segments of the China market.
Additionally, with the launch of this route, Qingdao becomes the seventh city in China which have a scheduled direct flight to Penang. The other six cities are Xiamen, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Chengdu.
In other words, this is more than just the launch of a new routeโit represents a strategic leap in Penangโs engagement with the China market. It reflects our northward expansion strategy and a transition towards a more balanced, multi-nodal aviation network. As our connectivity continues to grow in a structured and progressive manner, Penangโs aviation links with China are becoming increasingly comprehensive, dynamic, and multidimensional.
Qingdao, as a major coastal city in China, boasts a population of over 10.5 million and is supported by a strong industrial base, a thriving port economy, and robust consumer demand. It is a city defined by both economic strength and vibrant openness. Therefore, the impact of this direct flight goes far beyond tourismโit will also facilitate business exchanges, investment opportunities, as well as educational and cultural interactions, fostering deeper and higher-quality connectivity between both regions.
Moreover, this route not only enables convenient travel for residents of Qingdao, but also serves as a gateway to the wider Shandong region, including key cities such as Yantai, Jinan, Zibo, Weifang, Weihai, and Rizhao. With Qingdao as a hub, this network will channel a steady stream of visitors from across the province to Penang, further enhancing our visibility and appeal in northern China.
In addition, Qingdao Airlines operates an extensive network of routes connecting Qingdao to major cities in Northeast China such as Harbin, Changchun, Yanji, and Dalian; to key destinations in South Korea including Seoul, Jeju, and Daegu; as well as to major Japanese cities such as Osaka and Nagoya. This well-connected network underscores Qingdaoโs role as an important aviation hub.
Viewed in this context, the strategic significance of the QingdaoโPenang direct flight extends well beyond a bilateral city connection. It not only links Penang to Shandong and Northeast China, but also strengthens our connectivity with South Korea, Japan, and the broader Northeast Asian region, forming a multi-layered and regionally integrated aviation network.
Importantly, this route is not only about bringing visitors into Penangโit also enables Penangites to venture outward. Residents of Penang can now conveniently transit via Qingdao to Northeast China, South Korea, and Japan, whether for leisure or business, further enhancing two-way mobility and connectivity.
We firmly believe that the true success of a route lies not only in its launch, but in its sustainability. In this regard, the Penang State Government has already laid out a series of follow-up initiatives to ensure that the benefits of this direct flight are fully realised. For instance, on 3 April 2026, we will be organising a business matching session between tourism stakeholders from Qingdao and Penang, providing a practical platform to strengthen collaboration, promote resource sharing, and facilitate mutual market access.
In closing, on behalf of the Penang State Government, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Qingdao Municipal Government, Qingdao Airlines and all partners who have contributed their efforts to making this route a reality. It is through your dedication and collaboration that this direct connection has successfully taken flight, opening a new chapter in PenangโQingdao relations.
I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), as well as Tourism Malaysia, for their strong support in advancing international air connectivity and market development. With the continued cooperation between government agencies and industry stakeholders, we are confident that exchanges between Penang and Qingdao in tourism, trade, education, and beyond will continue to flourish.
Looking ahead, we will remain committed to the principles of openness, pragmatism, and mutual benefit. Together with Qingdao and our international partners, we will continue to position Penang as a regional hub for tourism, commerce, and cultural exchangeโensuring that every visitor and every traveller experiences the warmth, vibrancy, and connectivity that Penang has to offer, as we jointly write a new chapter of shared growth and connectivity.
Thank you
