Tourism Malaysia Boosts ASEAN Tourism With Batik Air’s New Bangkok-Johor Bahru Route

Tourism Malaysia is proud to celebrate the inaugural Batik Air flight connecting Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, Thailand, to Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening tourism and fostering bilateral ties between the two nations.

As part of the celebration, Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with Batik Air, will host a 3-day, 2-night familiarisation trip for Thai tour agents. This trip will showcase Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and stunning natural landscapes, offering participants a firsthand experience of the country’s renowned hospitality and unique attractions. The initiative seeks to strengthen tourism ties and foster greater collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia has consistently shown support for new flight routes and airline expansions, recognising their importance in increasing tourist arrivals and supporting economic growth. The addition of this new route underscores Tourism Malaysia’s commitment to connecting Malaysia with key ASEAN markets.

The inaugural flight takes place on Sunday, 1 December 2024. The new route, OD531, operates seven flights per week, departing Bangkok at 01:45 p.m. and arriving in Johor Bahru at 05:15 p.m. This route, served by a Boeing 737-800 (B738), offers travellers convenient access between northern Thailand and southern Malaysia.

YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Batik Air on this new route and to host the familiarisation trip for tour agents from Thailand. This initiative aligns with our goals of advancing ASEAN cooperation and regional tourism while emphasising Malaysia’s dedication as it assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.

He added, “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.”

The increased seating capacity on the DMK-JHB route provides opportunities for travel agencies to create innovative packages for the Thai market, encouraging more travellers to discover Johor Bahru. This effort will diversify Malaysia’s tourism landscape, cater to a broader range of traveller preferences, and further solidify Johor Bahru as a gateway to unique Malaysian experiences.

By supporting the inaugural flight and organising the familiarisation trip, Tourism Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to enhancing tourism exchange, fostering cultural understanding, and strengthening economic cooperation between both countries. This initiative also underscores Malaysia’s role within the ASEAN region and aligns with the vision of Visit Malaysia 2026, which aims to attract 35.6 million foreign tourists and generate RM147.1 billion in receipts.

For more information and to learn more about the familiarisation trip and other tourism initiatives, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website or contact our press office.