Emirates will add Penang in Malaysia to its network from April 9.
The Dubai-based carrier will route the new service Dubai-Singapore-Penang-Singapore-Dubai, and it has gained fifth-freedom rights for the Singapore-Penang-Singapore sectors.
The daily flight will be operated by B777-300ER aircraft with eight first, 42 business and 304 economy class seats.
The schedule will be as follows:
- EK348 Singapore-Penang departs 1535, arrives 1715
- EK349 Penang-Singapore departs 2220, arrives 2350
Emirates says that “Penang will become Emirates’ second destination in Malaysia after its capital Kuala Lumpur, which the carrier currently serves three times daily.”
The new route means that:
- Travellers departing from and/or arriving into Penang gain access to Emirates’ long-haul network (via Dubai) to or from Europe, North America or the Middle East
- Local travellers can choose from another flight option on this busy route. Surface travel on this route is wearisome and lengthy. Travellers cannot be accused of ‘flight shame’
Other airlines plying to route nonstop include Singapore Airlines and low cost carrier’s like Air Asia, Scoot and Jetstar.
The competition means that Emirates will have to price keenly if it wishes to fill its empty seats. Readers may find that the lowest fares will be available through the travel trade rather than with emirates.com
Subscribers can read more information on fifth-freedom flights in our Taking the fifth feature in the November 2019 edition of Business Traveller.
