On Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, Haikou Meilan International Airport, a subsidiary of Hainan Holdings, launched a new route between Haikou and Johor Bahru and increased the frequency of the Haikou ⇌Penang service. With these new additions, Meilan Airport now serves five destinations in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Bahru, bringing the total number of scheduled passenger flights between Haikou and Malaysia to 23 per week.

Photo: A Haikou ⇌Johor Bahru flight.

Both the new and the expanded routes are operated by Malaysia’s Firefly airlines on Boeing 737 series aircraft. The Haikou ⇌Johor Bahru route is a new addition, operating once every Wednesday and Saturday. The inbound flight, FY8832, is scheduled to depart from Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru at 22:40 (local time) and arrive at Meilan Airport at 02:05 (Beijing time) the following day. The outbound flight, FY8833, is scheduled to depart from Meilan Airport at 03:05 (Beijing time) and arrive at Senai International Airport at 06:10 (local time).

Photo: A Haikou ⇌Penang flight.

The Haikou ⇌Penang route has seen an increase in frequency, and is now operating on a rotating bi-weekly schedule with a total of three flights every two weeks. The route operates on Mondays and Fridays during the first week, and Wednesdays during the second week. The inbound flight, FY3892, is scheduled to depart from Penang International Airport at 23:35 (local time) and arrive at Meilan Airport at 02:55 (Beijing time) the following day. The outbound flight, FY3893, is scheduled to depart from Meilan Airport at 03:55 (Beijing time) and arrive at Penang International Airport at 06:55 (local time).

According to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports of Hainan Province, Hainan welcomed over 140,000 visitors from Malaysia during the first three quarters of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 70.1%. This solidifies Malaysia’s position as one of Hainan’s top inbound travel source markets. With the mutual visa-exemption arrangement between China and Malaysia, combined with the policy advantages arising from the ongoing development of the Hainan Free Trade Port, such as expanded air traffic rights and streamlined customs clearance, barriers to travel between the two regions are expected to be further reduced, while channels for bilateral exchange will continue to broaden.

Johor Bahru, capital of the Malaysian state of Johor, is located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. The city offers a wide range of tourism experiences spanning city life, family-friendly entertainment, historical and cultural exploration, and the beauty of nature. Visitors can enjoy a family getaway at LEGOLAND Malaysia, dive into in local history and daily life at the Johor Ancient Temple and Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street, or take a leisurely stroll along the Danga Bay waterfront while sampling signature Johorean cuisine. Penang, situated at the northern end of the Strait of Malacca, served as an early trading port for the Southeast Asian region. The city’s ‘old town’, with a blend of Chinese and Western cultural and architectural styles, is a quintessential destination for those interested in the modern historical and cultural heritage of the region. Here, visitors can explore historic streets lined with shophouses, admire vibrant murals, visit the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and savor authentic Southeast Asian delicacies.