Sabah is set to achieve its goal of 3 million tourist arrivals as AirAsia introduces two new direct flights connecting Shantou and Kaohsiung to Kota Kinabalu on November 16 and 17, respectively.
With Shantou now offering direct flights, it becomes the ninth city in China linked to Kota Kinabalu, joining other major cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. The Shantou route will operate three times a week, increasing the total to 55 weekly direct flights from China to Kota Kinabalu.
The new Kaohsiung route marks the second direct connection from Taiwan to Sabah, complementing the existing service from Taipei. This expansion aims to attract more tourists from southern Taiwan and neighbouring cities like Tainan and Pingtung.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew expressed gratitude to AirAsia for its ongoing partnership in enhancing Sabah’s accessibility for international travellers. She noted that the launch of the Shantou flight supports Sabah's strategy to diversify its tourism market by connecting with second- and third-tier cities in China.
Liew highlighted the potential for increased tourism from cities with a combined population of over 31.4 million in Southern China, including Chaozhou and Huizhou. The new Kaohsiung flight is expected to similarly draw visitors from Taiwan’s surrounding areas.
In July, Sabah announced a strategic partnership with AirAsia to enhance the tourism industry over the next five years, collaborating to develop Kota Kinabalu International Airport into a regional aviation hub.
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, managing director of AirAsia Malaysia, emphasised the airline’s commitment to supporting tourism growth in Kota Kinabalu, leveraging the visa-free initiative and its extensive network to facilitate travel between the two nations.
Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit underscored that Sabah’s rich natural and cultural diversity offers unique travel experiences. Increasing accessibility aligns with the state's goal to make tourism a key driver of success, particularly in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year in 2026.