Tourism Malaysia welcomed the inaugural arrival of Chongqing Airlines’ new direct service 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 journey. The service operates three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Chongqing at 19:00 and arriving in Kota Kinabalu at approximately 23:15. This new route enhances accessibility from China, one of Malaysia’s most important tourism source markets, while supporting sustained growth in visitor arrivals.



The launch of this service reflects growing interest among Chinese carriers in expanding routes to Sabah, driven by increasing demand for the state’s diverse tourism offerings. It also strengthens connectivity for travellers from Western China, providing easier access to Sabah’s renowned natural landscapes, vibrant culture and signature Malaysian hospitality. Currently, a total of 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 in operation.

“This route launch reflects the rising demand for Sabah’s unique attractions. 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 welcomed by representatives from Tourism Malaysia, led by Ms. Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, alongside delegates from the Sabah Tourism Board, Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad during a special ceremony commemorating the milestone.



This new Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu route reflects continued collaboration between tourism authorities, airport operators and airline partners in strengthening Malaysia’s air connectivity and supporting sustainable tourism growth. The direct connection offers seamless travel options for leisure travellers, business visitors and group tours, while reinforcing 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 highlighting strong and sustained travel demand.

Aligned with the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the introduction of this route enhances international accessibility and further 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 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 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).