KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s air connectivity with China is set to expand, as China Eastern Airlines plans to double or even triple its daily Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu service while exploring a direct route here from Beijing.
The plans were discussed during a courtesy visit by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin to the China Eastern Airlines’ office in Shanghai on Tuesday (Sept 22), where he met Yang Chun Fei, the carrier's senior vice-president of marketing and sales.
Jafry welcomed the plans, saying stronger direct air connectivity is crucial as the state prepares for Visit Sabah 2027.
"Shanghai is already an important gateway to Sabah. Increasing the frequency would provide greater capacity and flexibility for travellers.
"A direct Beijing-Kota Kinabalu route would open another major gateway and strengthen Sabah’s connectivity with China.
"Our focus is clear – more direct connections, stronger frequencies and easier access to Sabah," he said.
China remained Sabah’s main tourism growth driver, recording 578,681 arrivals in the first eight months of the year, a 21.6% increase from the same period last year.
China Eastern also operated up to three daily Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu flights during this year's peak summer travel period.
Jafry said better connectivity creates opportunities across Sabah’s tourism industry, from hotels and tour operators to restaurants, attractions and local businesses.
"We will continue working closely with our airline partners to strengthen existing routes, increase capacity and open new gateways into Sabah," he said.
Also present were Datuk Josie Lai, the ministry's permanent secretary, and representatives from the Sabah Tourism Board.
