Batik Air to commence Ipoh-Singapore route in December — exco

IPOH (Sept 23): Batik Air Malaysia has announced the launch of the Ipoh-Singapore route on Dec 1, marking a new milestone in the flight network of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS), according to state Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee.

He said this significant development is the result of the state government’s continuous efforts to strengthen Perak’s aviation and tourism sectors.

“With Batik Air operating the route using a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, Ipoh now has greater connectivity, making it easier for domestic and international travellers to commute to Singapore for business, education and family purposes,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the state government, through the State Economic Strategy Unit together with Tourism Perak, had held discussions with Batik Air’s top management in April before reaching an agreement on the route.

He added that the decision to open the route was driven by Singapore’s position as a major international tourism market as well as a transit hub for the state’s residents travelling abroad.

He said the state government will continue its efforts to increase the number of international flights to Ipoh, while welcoming cooperation from airlines and the tourism industry to make Perak a more competitive international gateway.

The LTSAS recorded 540,000 passengers in 2024, an increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year, and as of May 2025, passenger numbers had reached nearly 220,000.

The airport was upgraded for RM8 million in April, increasing its capacity from 240 to 510 passengers per hour, and from 500,000 to 700,000 passengers annually.