Officials from Tourism Malaysia welcomed Shendong Airlines’ inaugural flight from Jinan to Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 19th January.
This maiden flight marks a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between China and Malaysia.
The new route operates seven days a week using a Boeing 737 aircraft with a capacity of 176 passengers.
The service is designed to meet the growing demand for both leisure and business travel, while enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
In the spirit of supporting Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the launch of this route is part of a strategic effort to boost inbound tourist arrivals from China, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers while enhancing regional aviation connectivity.
A gracious Malaysian welcome
A ceremony to welcome the flight was held at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)Terminal 2, officiated by Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Lee Thai Hung.
Also present were Aerodarat chief operating officer Ibrahim Mohammed Salleh, Air China deputy general manager for Asia and the Pacific Hao Shu, and Malaysia Airports Berhad general manager for aviation, marketing, and development Zainuddin Mohamed.
Tourism Malaysia director general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim remarked on the occasion: “We warmly welcome the inaugural Jinan–Kuala Lumpur flight by Shandong Airlines, which marks a positive step forward in meeting the growing travel demand between China and Malaysia. This new daily service will make it more convenient for Chinese travellers to discover Malaysia’s diverse attractions, culture, and hospitality, while reinforcing our commitment to strengthening tourism cooperation under the VM2026 campaign.”
Hao Shu likewise declared: “As a vital member of the Air China family, Shandong Airlines has long been a pillar of the Shandong market. We are proud to strengthen Jinan and Qingdao as two core hubs, while steadily expanding our international footprint. The successful launch of the Jinan–Kuala Lumpur service is not just a milestone for Shandong Airlines' international growth, it is a clear demonstration of our collective ability to identify market opportunities and drive regional prosperity. This new route will further enhance our network in Southeast Asia. Through effective connections among the routes of Group airlines, it will offer passengers more diverse and seamless travel options, while further strengthening the role of Jinan as an important hub within our international network.”
