Thai Lion Air are due to start direct-flights twice-daily to/from Hat Yai, in competition with Air Asia Thailand who already operate the route, from 16th February  ...  which should be good for competition & fares ! 

 

http://lionairthai.com/en/CNX-HDY

Great news. I have to go to Penang in March for a new visa and it's 1,600 baht to CNX-HDY flying AirAsia (I'm busing it the rest of the way) which is more than it costs to fly back to CNX from KUL coming back (making a trip out of it.)

Uh Huh.....Guess I might see a few of you northerners then...