China Eastern now flies daily from Kunming to KL

China Eastern Airlines has inaugurated a new daily service connecting Kunming, China, with Kuala Lumpur.

This additional route signifies a growing commitment to air travel between the two countries.

New daily flight strengthens China-Malaysia connection

The inaugural flight, MU9629, arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 1) from Kunming, where passengers were welcomed by dignitaries including Malaysia’s Director General of Tourism, Manoharan Periasamy.

This new route utilises Airbus A320neo aircraft with a seating capacity of 148 passengers and complements the existing 18 weekly flights offered by other carriers from China’s Yunnan Province.

Manoharan highlighted the significance of the new route, stating, “With this new additional route, it is a great opportunity to bring in more tourists from China’s second-tier cities.”

Malaysia’s visa-free policy for Chinese travellers, implemented in December 2023 and valid until December 2024, has significantly boosted tourism.

In 2023, Malaysia received 1.47 million arrivals from China, a remarkable 593.4% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

China Eastern Airlines increase flight frequencies

Early this year, China Eastern Airlines’ new route is part of a broader expansion of air travel between Malaysia and China.

Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern Airlines have pledged to offer a minimum of 62 weekly flights, demonstrating their commitment to this growing market.

Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, announced plans for further expansion, including five new departure cities within China and three new destinations in Malaysia.

These new destinations include Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Penang, while Xi’an and Urumqi are positioned as key hubs targeting the Chinese Muslim market.

The surge in tourism driven by visa exemptions has prompted airlines to enhance their schedules, with increased frequencies and new routes fostering stronger connections between Malaysia and China.

This collaborative effort is expected to further solidify Malaysia’s position as a popular tourist destination for Chinese travellers.