Chinese carrier Juneyao Air successfully launched its new Shanghai-Tawau route, strengthening air connectivity between China and the Malaysian province of Sabah.
The new route officially commenced operations on Thursday, 15th January, and will fly thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with a capacity of 180 seats.
The service seeks to cater to the growing demand for leisure travel from China whilst enhancing tourism flows and people-to-people exchanges between the two destinations.
The inaugural flight was welcomed in Tawau by Tourism Malaysia representative Darryl Hamzah, together with Malaysia Airport Berhad’s Rehan Shafiq Azizan and Sabah Tourism Board’s Shirly Ho.
Simon Ng was also on hand as representative of Juneyao Air’s ground handler Ground Team Red Sdn Bhd.
Stronger ties
The launch of this scheduled service forms part of broader efforts to strengthen inbound travel from China, a key source market for Malaysia, while enhancing air connectivity to East Malaysia.
Tawau serves as a strategic gateway to Sabah’s east coast, providing access to renowned marine tourism destinations, eco-adventures and distinctive cultural experiences, most notably Semporna and its surrounding islands.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim commented on the occasion, saying: “We warmly welcome Juneyao Air’s inaugural scheduled flight from Shanghai to Tawau. This new service strengthens connectivity between China and Malaysia through Sabah, providing greater convenience for travellers and supporting Sabah’s tourism growth during Visit Malaysia (VM) 2026.”
The introduction of the Shanghai–Tawau scheduled service likewise supports Malaysia’s delivery of VM2026 by enhancing international accessibility and expanding connectivity to key tourism destinations in East Malaysia.
Improved air links are expected to play a vital role in sustaining tourism momentum, encouraging repeat visits and positioning Sabah as a compelling destination for international travellers.
These efforts will showcase Malaysia’s diverse attractions, rich culinary heritage, vibrant festivals and renowned hospitality.
At the same time, the additional flight capacity supports ongoing initiatives to boost visitor arrivals and increase tourism spending from key source markets.
