Guan Eng: Direct flights from Doha and Penang a boon for the state

NIBONG TEBAL: The decision by Qatar Airways to offer direct flights between Doha and Penang is expected to boost the tourism and manufacturing sectors in the state.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has described the announcement made by the airliner as a piece of good news, saying more tourists and the business community can take advantage of such direct linkages to tap the attractions and investment opportunities in the state.
Lim could not hide his delight at the news, saying that now Penangites will no longer need to go through Kuala Lumpur to fly to Doha, Qatar's capital.
Usually, Malaysians will use Doha as a transit point before they take connecting flights to Europe and America.
"It is good news; hopefully we have more direct flights to other international destinations", he said after attending Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy's Deepavali open - house at Residensi Villa Mutiara in Simpang Ampat.
Lim said that he got to know about the announcement through the Travel News Time portal.
He then tweeted on his social media account of "a Deepavali gift for Penang! Happy Deepavali! Qatar Airways to fly directly to Penang (from) next year."
The direct flights from the oil-rich kingdom will be for three times per week to Penang with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 22 seats in its business class and 232 seats in Economy Class.
The airline started flying from its Kuala Lumpur route in 2001 and it currently flies three times a week from Kuala Lumpur.
Penang will be the airline's second destination in the country with the maiden flight expected to start in Feb, next year.