Malaysia welcomed the arrival of Loong Air’s new inaugural flight of Xi’an-Kuala Lumpur route at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 last 6th July.
This inaugural flight marked a key milestone in strengthening tourism ties and economic cooperation between Malaysia and China.
Loong Air’s entry into the Malaysia market is more than just an airline expansion: it is a strategic collaboration aligned with Malaysia’s broader tourism vision.
As such, it sets the stage for deeper partnerships across aviation, investment, and cultural exchange, further enriching the country’s tourism ecosystem and economic landscape.
A warm welcome
A special welcoming ceremony was held at the airport with Tourism Malaysia deputy chair Yeoh Soon Hin and deputy director-general Samuel Lee in attendance, together with senior representatives from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).
Leading the delegation from Loong Air was airline vice-president for overseas business Li Dong whose attendance symbolises the airline’s growing commitment to Malaysia as a key Southeast Asian hub.
Yeoh said at the event: “With Kuala Lumpur now directly connected to Xi’an, we’re opening more doors for tourism, business, and cultural exchange. This enhanced connectivity reaffirms Malaysia’s position as a gateway to ASEAN and a must-visit destination for international travellers.”
A thrice-weekly service
This new route, operated by a 174-seat Airbus A320, will fly three times weekly: on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- Flight GJ8721 departs Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) at 8:35 PM, arriving at KLIA (KUL) at 1:55 AM.
- Return flight GJ8722 departs Kuala Lumpur at 2:55 AM, arriving in Xi’an at 7:55 AM.
This timely expansion supports Malaysia’s strategic goals for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), which aims to welcome more Chinese travellers, currently one of Malaysia’s top tourist source markets.
From January to April 2025, 1.44 million visitors from China were recorded, reflecting a 37.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The momentum is further supported by Malaysia’s visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals, extended until 31st December, providing seamless access and encouraging longer stays.
