Sabah connects with more destinations in China via AirAsia

26 September 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has broadened its connectivity to ten major destinations in China with the resumption of direct flights from Kunming to Kota Kinabalu, marking a significant enhancement in travel options.

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, the Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment and Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, welcomed the inaugural flight from Kunming on Thursday morning.

The Kunming-Kota Kinabalu route will operate three times a week, adding to the existing AirAsia direct connections to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Shanghai, Beijing, and Ningbo. Additionally, Xiamen Air provides service on the Fuzhou-Kota Kinabalu route.

Recognising China as a vital market for Sabah, Joniston emphasised the Sabah Tourism Board's commitment to exploring new opportunities.

“We are in ongoing discussions with our airline partners, particularly AirAsia, to position Sabah as a key travel hub in Borneo. We aim to tap into emerging markets like Vietnam, India, and Central Asia, and we are planning to resume direct flights from Australia,” he stated.

“With the Nusantara development progressing, it’s crucial to establish a robust hub portfolio that captures diverse markets and paves the way for more exciting international routes," he added.

AirAsia is actively working to expand its network, with plans to connect Sabah to additional cities, including Shantou (China) and Kaohsiung (Taiwan), expected to launch in November. Furthermore, a new route from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Kota Kinabalu is slated to commence in December.

AirAsia's international routes also encompass key Southeast Asian destinations, including Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, Bali, and Manado, alongside services to Taipei and Seoul.

Other carriers providing direct international flights to Sabah include Air Busan (Busan-Kota Kinabalu), Scoot (Singapore-Kota Kinabalu), Shanghai Airlines (Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu), China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou-Kota Kinabalu), and Royal Brunei Airlines (Bandar Seri Begawan-Kota Kinabalu).

From January to July this year, Sabah welcomed 262,070 visitors from China, achieving 70 per cent of pre-pandemic arrival levels.

Bruneians and South Koreans follow closely, with 124,521 and 106,573 arrivals, respectively, making them Sabah's top three international tourist markets.