Inaugural arrival of Chongqing Airlines’ Flight OQ2193 at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Sabah welcomed its first direct flight from Chongqing on Thursday, with the arrival of Chongqing Airlines’ inaugural service, linking the southwestern China city to Kota Kinabalu.
Flight OQ2193 landed at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) at 11.15pm, marking the start of a three-times-weekly service operating every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and opening a new gateway for travellers during Visit Malaysia 2026.
Chongqing Airlines is a subsidiary of China Southern Airlines and the inaugural flight carried 154 passengers.
Welcoming the inaugural flight of Chongqing Airlines from Chongqing to Kota Kinabalu. Pictured are STB CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit (4th right); STB Senior Deputy CEO Tay Shu Lan (3rd right); China Southern Airlines Kuala Lumpur Office general manager Guo Hao (5th left); Chongqing Airlines Flight Operation Department deputy manager Dai Xin(6th left); Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Abu Bakar(4th left); and MAHB KKIA pass officer Muhammad Hilmi Azwan Ahmad (2nd right).
The aircraft was accorded a water cannon salute upon arrival at the airport, coordinated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), while Sabah Tourism Board (STB) hosted a cultural welcome, with greeters in traditional attire presenting souvenirs to passengers.
Present to welcome the flight were STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar, and China Southern Airlines Kuala Lumpur Office general manager Guo Hao.
With the addition of Chongqing, Sabah is now connected to eight (8) key cities in China, including Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and Fuzhou, further strengthening its position in the China market.
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.
“The opening of the Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu air route not only shortens the spatial and temporal distance between the two cities, but also provides a new channel for Chongqing residents to travel to Southeast Asia for tourism, business negotiations, and cultural exchanges.
“As the capital of Sabah, Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu is renowned for its rich island tourism resources and unique tropical scenery, making it a favourite destination among Chinese tourists,” said Guo Hao.
The launch of this route signals Sabah’s rising profile as a travel destination and the state’s commitment to enhancing air connectivity, supporting Malaysia’s broader tourism goals for 2026.
Sabah Tourism Board will continue collaborating with airline partners and industry stakeholders to develop more routes, further improving international access into the state while ensuring a seamless arrival experience for visitors.
Also present were STB senior deputy chief executive officer Tay Shu Lan, China Southern Airlines KL Office deputy station manager Yap Wei Kian, China Southern Airlines KL Office sales manager Low Yu Yang, Chongqing Airlines Flight Operation Department deputy manager Dai Xin, and MAHB KKIA pass officer Muhammad Hilmi Azwan Ahmad.
Inaugural arrival of Chongqing Airlines’ Flight OQ2193 at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Sabah welcomed its first direct flight from Chongqing on Thursday, with the arrival of Chongqing Airlines’ inaugural service, linking the southwestern China city to Kota Kinabalu.
Flight OQ2193 landed at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) at 11.15pm, marking the start of a three-times-weekly service operating every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and opening a new gateway for travellers during Visit Malaysia 2026.
Chongqing Airlines is a subsidiary of China Southern Airlines and the inaugural flight carried 154 passengers.
The aircraft was accorded a water cannon salute upon arrival at the airport, coordinated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), while Sabah Tourism Board (STB) hosted a cultural welcome, with greeters in traditional attire presenting souvenirs to passengers.
Present to welcome the flight were STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar, and China Southern Airlines Kuala Lumpur Office general manager Guo Hao.
With the addition of Chongqing, Sabah is now connected to eight (8) key cities in China, including Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and Fuzhou, further strengthening its position in the China market.
“The opening of the Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu air route not only shortens the spatial and temporal distance between the two cities, but also provides a new channel for Chongqing residents to travel to Southeast Asia for tourism, business negotiations, and cultural exchanges.
“As the capital of Sabah, Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu is renowned for its rich island tourism resources and unique tropical scenery, making it a favourite destination among Chinese tourists,” said Guo Hao.
The launch of this route signals Sabah’s rising profile as a travel destination and the state’s commitment to enhancing air connectivity, supporting Malaysia’s broader tourism goals for 2026.
Sabah Tourism Board will continue collaborating with airline partners and industry stakeholders to develop more routes, further improving international access into the state while ensuring a seamless arrival experience for visitors.
Also present were STB senior deputy chief executive officer Tay Shu Lan, China Southern Airlines KL Office deputy station manager Yap Wei Kian, China Southern Airlines KL Office sales manager Low Yu Yang, Chongqing Airlines Flight Operation Department deputy manager Dai Xin, and MAHB KKIA pass officer Muhammad Hilmi Azwan Ahmad.
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