Tourism Malaysia today celebrated the launch of Juneyao Airlines’ inaugural direct flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) — a major milestone in strengthening tourism cooperation and connectivity between Malaysia and China.

Operating four times weekly under flight HO1353, the service utilises an Airbus A320neo with a capacity of 162 passengers, catering to the rising demand for travel between the two vibrant cities. The new route enhances convenience for both leisure and business travellers, while also reinforcing Kuala Lumpur’s position as a preferred Southeast Asian hub for Chinese outbound tourists.

The arrival of the first flight was greeted with a warm welcome at KLIA by Mr Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia, together with representatives from Juneyao Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), and Pos Aviation.

“This strategic connection supports our efforts to deepen partnerships with Chinese airlines ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026),” said Mr Samuel Lee. “It aligns with our national strategy to promote cultural and sustainable tourism, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).”

He also noted that the enhanced link with Shanghai contributes to greater regional integration under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), with broader benefits for Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem.

Between January and April 2025, Malaysia welcomed 1.44 million Chinese tourists, marking a 37.8% increase over the same period in 2023 and 22.6% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This momentum is further bolstered by the government’s decision to extend visa-free entry for Chinese nationals until 31 December 2026, alongside growing air connectivity.

The new Juneyao Airlines service is expected to generate significant economic impact across the tourism value chain, underscoring Malaysia’s continued appeal as a top destination for Chinese travellers.