In a strategic move to boost regional air connectivity and support the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, Tourism Malaysia today celebrated the launch of Batik Air’s inaugural direct flight, OD 533, from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), Bangkok, to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) (SZB).

This new daily service marks Batik Air’s first international route from Subang Airport and is set to position SZB as a key city airport hub. The airline will operate the route using Boeing 737 aircraft, providing greater convenience for both business and leisure travellers by offering faster access to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre compared to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The launch also coincides with Batik Air’s expansion of domestic routes from SZB, including a new service to Kuching, complementing its existing flights to Penang, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau.

Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, welcomed the initiative, stating, “These new routes are timely as we prepare for Visit Malaysia 2026. Enhanced accessibility from key markets like Thailand will be instrumental in driving visitor arrivals and supporting tourism industry growth.”

Echoing this sentiment, Batik Air CEO Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said, “Our expansion at Subang is about bringing travellers closer to the destinations they love, whether it’s the bustling energy of Bangkok or the cultural richness of Kuching.”

Batik Air now operates 57 weekly flights between Malaysia and Thailand, connecting cities like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru to major Thai destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, and Hat Yai — offering a total weekly capacity of 9,234 seats.