SHANGHAI: China Eastern Airlines plans to double or triple its Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu service to two or three flights daily and is exploring a direct Beijing-Kota Kinabalu route.
The plan was outlined during Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin’s courtesy call on the airline’s senior vice president for marketing and sales, Yang Chun Fei.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai and Sabah Tourism Board officials were also present.
Jafry said stronger air links are critical ahead of Visit Sabah 2027.
“Shanghai is already a key gateway to Sabah. Doubling or tripling daily frequency gives travellers more capacity and flexibility.
“A direct Beijing service would open another major gateway. Our focus is more direct connections, stronger frequencies and easier access,” he said.
China is Sabah’s main growth market, with 578,681 arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, up 21.6 percent year-on-year.
China Eastern operated up to three daily services on the Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu route during the peak summer period this year.
“Better connectivity benefits the whole chain, from hotels and tour operators to restaurants and local businesses
“We will work with our airline partners to strengthen existing routes and open new ones,” said Jafry. – Wu Vuide
Jafry (centre), receiving a souvenir from Yang as Josie (right), looks on.
