Transnusa pioneers historic direct flight route linking Sumatra and M’sia

KUALA LUMPUR: In a pioneering move that re-invents traditional South-East Asian aviation networks, premium service carrier TransNusa has announced a historic international route connecting Bandar Lampung directly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This highly anticipated service introduces an innovative, point-to-point travel model that bypasses congested transit hubs, completely redefining regional connectivity by linking Sumatra and Malaysia directly for the very first time.

Starting Aug 24, 2026, TransNusa will operate daily scheduled flights between Radin Inten II Airport in Bandar Lampung and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

This bold network expansion establishes a vital new gateway, slicing travel times in half and unlocking unprecedented trade and tourism potential for both destinations.

By linking Bandar Lampung directly to Malaysia, TransNusa provides businesses and tourists with a seamless, direct option that completely eliminates the necessity of transiting through larger capital airport hubs.

TransNusa group chief executive officer Datuk Bernard Francis (pic) said that TransNusa’s strategy had never been to simply garner market share on overcrowded and saturated routes.

“As part of our strategic growth, we aim to excel in the business of absolute route creation.

“By connecting Bandar Lampung directly to Kuala Lumpur, we are introducing a new point-to-point network model that completely bypasses congested major hubs, slashes travel times in half, and provides our passengers with a superior, hassle-free premium experience.

“We are proud to once again contribute in the expansion of our region’s connectivity.” added Francis.

Bandar Lampung, the vibrant capital of Lampung Province on the southern tip of Sumatra, is rapidly emerging as a premier economic and tourism destination.

By introducing this pioneering flight, TransNusa opens a direct gateway for international travellers to explore the province’s rich offerings of ecotourism destinations such as Tanjung Setia Beach, the pristine marine paradise of Pahawang Island, and the iconic Kiluan Bay, famous for wild dolphin sightseeing.

Apart from offering tourism related activities, Bandar Lampung is also a major agricultural and trade hub, famous globally for its premium coffee, pepper, and robust maritime industries.

This milestone route is the latest in a series of strategic manoeuvres orchestrated by Francis. Known across the aviation sector as a visionary and game-changer, Francis has consistently challenged legacy industry norms.

Under his leadership, TransNusa has carved out a unique market position by identifying commercially viable, underserved regional corridors and transforming them into direct, premium-service connections.

This follows a proven track record of pioneering moves by Francis, including being the first to link key regional leisure hubs directly by creating absolute new routes from Bali to Manado and Bali to Wakatobi, among others.