Tourism Malaysia recently welcomed the inaugural direct service by Chongqing Airlines, linking Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport with Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 19 March 2026. The milestone marks a significant step forward in strengthening air connectivity between China and Sabah.
Operating flight OQ2193, the new route connects Chongqing and Kota Kinabalu using a modern Airbus A320neo with a capacity of up to 195 passengers. The service runs three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Chongqing at 19:00 and arriving in Kota Kinabalu at approximately 23:15. This development enhances travel convenience from China, one of Malaysia’s key tourism markets, while supporting continued growth in visitor arrivals.
The introduction of this service highlights increasing interest among Chinese airlines in expanding their presence in Sabah, driven by rising demand for the state’s unique tourism offerings. The route improves accessibility for travellers from Western China, offering easier access to Sabah’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and renowned Malaysian hospitality. Currently, Sabah is connected to 10 cities in China via major gateways such as Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Tawau Airport, with a total of 112 weekly flights.
According to Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, the launch reflects growing demand for Sabah as a preferred destination. He noted that the collaboration with Chongqing Airlines plays an important role in strengthening Malaysia’s position as an accessible destination for nature, culture and premium travel experiences, while supporting inbound tourism from China under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
The inaugural flight arrival was marked by a welcoming ceremony attended by representatives from Tourism Malaysia, led by Sabah Director Ms Haryanty Abu Bakar, together with officials from the Sabah Tourism Board, Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad. The event commemorated the successful launch of the new route and its importance to the tourism sector.
This new Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu connection reflects ongoing collaboration between tourism authorities, airport operators and airline partners to enhance Malaysia’s air connectivity. It provides seamless travel options for leisure, business and group travellers, while reinforcing Kota Kinabalu’s role as a key gateway to East Malaysia.
China continues to play a vital role in Malaysia’s tourism growth. In 2025, Malaysia recorded 4.7 million arrivals from China, marking a 25.1 per cent increase compared to the previous year and highlighting the strong demand from the market.
In line with the goals of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the new route is expected to further improve international access and strengthen Kota Kinabalu’s standing as a regional hub alongside Kuala Lumpur. It is also anticipated to drive repeat visits, boost tourism spending and enhance Malaysia’s appeal as a destination for leisure, culture, food and shopping experiences.
Tourism Malaysia also expressed its appreciation to Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad for their continued support and collaboration, and looks forward to further joint efforts in promoting Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings to travellers from Chongqing and across China in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
