China Southern Airlines has resumed direct Kota Kinabalu flights from Guangzhou.
The first flight with 194 passengers recently arrived, marking the first since before the pandemic.
The Airbus A321neo was given a water cannon salute at the airport.
It contained a large tour group, restarting China inbound tourism in KK.
They were met by the Minister of Tourism Datuk Christina Liew and Assistant Minister and Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
China Southern will operate three routes in the near future between China and Malaysia with departures from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Penang to Guangzhou.
The Kuala Lumpur-Guangzhou route will be upgraded to three flights per day from 15 May.
“The resumption of direct flights between Guangzhou and Kota Kinabalu will give an additional lift to business development, tourism growth and cultural exchanges,” said the airline’s Kuala Lumpur office GM, Eric Wang.
