AdminBatik Air’s new daily flight connecting Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru (JHB) marks an important development for tourism in the ASEAN region. The inaugural flight, launched on 1 December 2024, represents a significant step in strengthening tourism ties between Malaysia and Thailand, two key partners in Southeast Asia.
Tourism Malaysia, in partnership with Batik Air, also hosted a three-day familiarisation trip for Thai travel agents to celebrate the launch. The trip aimed to enhance regional cooperation, introduce Johor Bahru to Thai travel agents, and promote Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings.
Enhancing Connectivity and Expanding Tourism Potential
The new route between Bangkok and Johor Bahru is more than just a flight; it reflects Tourism Malaysia’s strategic focus on boosting connectivity between hub cities and secondary destinations. With Malaysia assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, this route plays a key role in advancing regional tourism cooperation.
YBhg Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia, emphasized the importance of connecting major cities to secondary locations like Johor Bahru. “Strengthening connectivity between key cities in ASEAN and second-tier destinations like Johor Bahru is vital to fostering greater regional integration and showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings,” he said.
The daily flights will operate with a Boeing 737-800, offering 167 seats on each leg of the journey. Batik Air faces stiff competition from Thai AirAsia, which operates 11 flights a week on the same route with an A320 aircraft. Nevertheless, the addition of Batik Air’s service is expected to bolster tourism in Johor Bahru and provide travel agents with opportunities to craft tailored packages for Thai tourists.
Supporting the Vision of Visit Malaysia 2026
The new flight connection aligns with the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026, a government initiative aimed at attracting 35.6 million foreign tourists by the end of the year. Tourism Malaysia has set a target to generate MYR 147.1 billion in tourist receipts, and the expansion of air travel routes like the Bangkok-Johor Bahru flight will contribute significantly to achieving these goals.
In addition to facilitating travel for Thai tourists, the new route enhances Malaysia’s visibility in Thailand, which is a vital market for the country’s tourism sector. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expressed its excitement over the new service, highlighting the importance of Malaysia as a key inbound market.
Ms. Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, remarked, “Malaysia remains a key inbound market, consistently contributing high visitor numbers. This new route enhances connectivity, offering greater convenience for Malaysian travellers, many of whom already enjoy spontaneous trips to Thailand.”
A Stronger Partnership Between Malaysia and Thailand
The Bangkok-Johor Bahru flight marks another milestone in the long-standing relationship between Thailand and Malaysia. The strong land border connectivity between the two countries has been a cornerstone of travel, with popular checkpoints such as Sadao (Songkhla) and Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah) facilitating thousands of daily crossings. Additionally, air travel between the two nations has rebounded strongly, reaching 77% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and projected to increase further in 2024.
With Thai visitors making up a large portion of Malaysia’s inbound tourist market, the new Batik Air service is expected to bolster the flow of travelers between the two countries. In 2023, over 4.6 million Thai tourists visited Malaysia, and that momentum is expected to continue. The new flight will allow for more seamless travel, supporting both tourism growth and the broader economic integration of the ASEAN region.
As Ms. Pattaraanong concluded, “The addition of Batik Air Malaysia’s Bangkok-Johor Bahru flight marks a significant step in fostering greater travel opportunities and enriching the relationship between Thailand and Malaysia. With strong connectivity by both land and air and a continued focus on seamless travel, Thailand looks forward to welcoming even more Malaysian visitors in the future.”
Add comment