KUANTAN: Batik Air, formerly Malindo Air, has reintroduced its Subang-Kuantan route.
Currently, only Malaysia Airlines operates the Kuala Lumpur-Kuantan route, and Singapore's low-cost airline Scoot Air services the Singapore-Kuantan route.
Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said Batik Air resumed flights between the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) and Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport (LTSAS) here on June 2.
"Batik Air will fly in and out of Kuantan four days a week — Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
"The ATR 72-600 aircraft will be used for the route.
"Previously, Malindo Air served the Kuantan route, but stopped operations in November 2015.
"On April 10, I spoke to (LTSAS manager) Muhammad Irfan Mohd Nor on getting Batik Air onboard. I am grateful to the airline for making it a reality," he wrote on Facebook.
Fakhruddin said Batik Air reopening the Subang-Kuantan route provided travellers with more options and could help reduce travel time.
It is understood Batik Air will depart from Subang Airport at 7am for a one-hour trip to LTSAS here before returning to Subang at 8.20am.
Tourism Pahang general manager Kamaruddin Ibrahim said the return of Batik Air to Pahang was a boon for travellers.
"Demand for air transport has always been high, but many people were left with limited flight options in and out of LTSAS.
"Batik Air's return will be a huge relief to the people of the state, as well as tourists.
"Visitors can now travel to Kuantan from Subang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
"Scoot Air, which resumed flights here on March 26, will fly in from Changi Airport."
Kamaruddin said talks have begun with low-cost carrier Firefly to resume direct flights between LTSAS and Penang International Airport.
"We hope to have a positive announcement soon. Talks will be carried out in stages."
In March, state Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the Pahang government had initiated talks with several airlines to revive flights in and out of LTSAS to boost tourist arrivals.
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