Tourism Malaysia welcomed the inaugural direct service by Chongqing Airlines connecting Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 19 March 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between China and Sabah.
The new flight, OQ2193, links Chongqing with Kota Kinabalu using a 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 approximately 23:15. This new connection enhances accessibility from China, one of Malaysia’s most important tourism source markets, while supporting the continued growth in visitor arrivals.
The launch of this service reflects growing interest among Chinese carriers in expanding connectivity to Sabah, driven by increasing demand for the state’s diverse tourism offerings. The route strengthens access for travellers from Western China, providing greater opportunities to experience Sabah’s renowned natural landscapes, vibrant culture and signature Malaysian hospitality. In total, Sabah is now connected to 10 cities in China through key entry points such as Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Tawau Airport, with a combined frequency of 112 weekly flights.
According to Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, the launch reflects strong demand for Sabah’s unique attractions. He noted that, as a key pillar of Malaysia’s China strategy, the partnership with Chongqing Airlines reinforces the country’s position as a premier and accessible destination for nature, culture and world-class hospitality, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
The inaugural arrival was received by delegates from Tourism Malaysia, led by Ms. Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, alongside representatives from Sabah Tourism Board, Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, in a welcoming ceremony to commemorate the milestone.
The introduction of the Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu route highlights continued collaboration between tourism authorities, airport operators and airline partners in strengthening Malaysia’s air connectivity and supporting sustainable tourism growth. The direct service offers seamless travel options for leisure travellers, business visitors and group tours, while further positioning Kota Kinabalu 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, reflecting a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase and underscoring strong and sustained travel demand. In line with the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the introduction of this route enhances international accessibility and strengthens Kota Kinabalu’s role as a key regional gateway alongside Kuala Lumpur. This is expected to encourage repeat visits, increase tourism spending and reinforce Malaysia’s standing as a preferred destination for leisure, culture, gastronomy and shopping.
Tourism Malaysia also expressed its appreciation to Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad for their continued collaboration and support, and looks forward to further 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).
