KOTA KINABALU, February 15 — Tourism Malaysia today welcomed the inaugural Qingdao Airlines charter flight from Chengdu to Kota Kinabalu, enhancing air connectivity between China and East Malaysia and supporting the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
With the 180-seat service operating until June 2026 to meet strong travel demand, as Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim said the new route will create greater opportunities for Chinese travellers to explore Sabah’s natural attractions.
Marine biodiversity and rich cultural heritage while generating economic benefits for local tourism businesses, noting that China remains a key source market with 4.6 million visitors recorded in 2025, a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase.
