Sabah boosts China connectivity with inaugural Chongqing direct flight

STB CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit (right) and China Southern Airlines Kuala Lumpur Office general manager Guo Hao (left) welcoming passengers on board Chongqing Airlines’ Flight OQ2193 at KKIA, on Thursday.

20 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah welcomed its first direct flight from Chongqing on Thursday, with Chongqing Airlines launching a service linking the southwestern Chinese city to Kota Kinabalu.

Flight OQ2193 touched down at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) at 11.15pm, inaugurating a three-times-weekly route on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The service opens a vital new gateway for travellers amid Visit Malaysia 2026.

A subsidiary of China Southern Airlines, Chongqing Airlines carried 154 passengers on the maiden flight.

Upon arrival, the aircraft received a ceremonial water cannon salute from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), followed by a cultural welcome from the Sabah Tourism Board (STB). Greeters in traditional attire presented souvenirs to passengers.

STB chief executive Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar, and China Southern Airlines Kuala Lumpur office general manager Guo Hao were among those on hand to greet the flight.

With the addition of Chongqing, Sabah is now connected to eight key cities in China, including Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and Fuzhou, further strengthening its position in the China market.

“The Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu route not only bridges the spatial and temporal gap between our cities but also opens fresh opportunities for Chongqing residents to explore Southeast Asia for tourism, business, and cultural exchanges," said Guo Hao.

"As Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu is celebrated for its abundant island resorts and distinctive tropical landscapes, making it a top draw for Chinese tourists.”

This launch underscores Sabah's growing stature as a premier destination and its drive to expand air links, aligning with Malaysia's 2026 tourism ambitions.

The STB will keep partnering with airlines and stakeholders to add routes, enhance global access, and deliver seamless arrivals.

Also present were STB senior deputy chief executive Tay Shu Lan, China Southern Airlines KL office deputy station manager Yap Wei Kian, sales manager Low Yu Yang, Chongqing Airlines Flight Operations deputy manager Dai Xin, and MAHB KKIA pass officer Muhammad Hilmi Azwan Ahmad.