Tourism Malaysia welcomed the arrival of the inaugural direct service by Chongqing Airlines connecting Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 19 March 2026, marking an important milestone in strengthening air connectivity between China and Sabah.
The new flight OQ2193 links Chongqing with Kota Kinabalu using the modern Airbus A320neo, carrying up to 195 passengers per trip. The service operates three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing China at 19:00 and arriving in Malaysia at an estimated time of 23:15. This further enhances accessibility from China, one of Malaysia’s most important tourism source markets, while supporting sustained growth in visitor arrivals.
The launch of this new airline service reflects the growing interest among Chinese carriers in expanding routes to Sabah, driven by rising demand for the state’s diverse tourism offerings. The route strengthens connectivity for travellers from Western China, providing greater access to Sabah’s renowned landscapes, vibrant culture and signature Malaysian hospitality. In total, 10 cities in China are connected to Sabah through key entry points such as Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Tawau Airport, with 112 weekly flights currently in operation.
“This route launch reflects the soaring demand for Sabah’s unique offerings. As a key pillar of our China strategy, this partnership with Chongqing Airlines strengthens Malaysia’s position as a premier and accessible gateway for nature, culture and world-class hospitality, while driving inbound travel from China as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign,” said Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia.
The inaugural arrival was received by delegates from Tourism Malaysia, led by Ms Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, alongside representatives from the Sabah Tourism Board, Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad in a welcoming ceremony to commemorate the milestone.
The new Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu route reflects continued collaboration between tourism authorities, airport operators and airline partners to strengthen Malaysia’s air connectivity and support sustainable tourism growth. The direct service offers seamless travel options for leisure travellers, business visitors and group tours, while enhancing Kota Kinabalu’s position as a strategic gateway to East Malaysia.
China remains a key market in Malaysia’s tourism expansion. In 2025, Malaysia recorded 4.7 million visitor arrivals from China, representing a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase and underscoring the market’s continued importance and strong travel demand.
Aligned with the strategic objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the introduction of this route enhances international accessibility and further strengthens Kota Kinabalu as a key regional gateway alongside Kuala Lumpur. It is expected to encourage repeat visits, increase tourism spending and reinforce Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for leisure, culture, gastronomy and shopping.
Tourism Malaysia extends its appreciation to Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad for their continued collaboration and support, and looks forward to working closely on joint promotional initiatives to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings to travellers from Chongqing and the wider China market in support of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
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