Close to 100 children with mild intellectual disabilities or autism - many of whom have never left Singapore - will get to fly to Penang on a plane specially reserved for them.

The trip is being made possible through a partnership between The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Tiger Airways. In Penang, they will learn about the culture and community of the place with details of the programme to be confirmed closer to the trip.

The children will be accompanied by their caregivers on the one-day trip to the Malaysian state. The Metta School provides education and training for children with mild intellectual disability or autism.

Up to 80 per cent of the children, aged 10 and above, have never flown on a plane before. Most are also on financial assistance schemes, noted principal of Metta, Ms Melison See. "We are appreciative of the NTUC-Tiger Airways efforts in organising this. Besides the memorable moments our students will have, the school sees this event as part of our character education delivered through experiential learning," she said.