KUCHING: Direct air connectivity between Sarawak and China received a major boost with Loong Air’s inaugural Shenzhen–Kuching flight touching down at Kuching International Airport (KIA) at 12.50pm on Tuesday (Dec 9).
The service, operated as a scheduled chartered flight, represents Loong Air’s first passenger route into Sarawak.
Its debut flight, coded GJ8055, departed Shenzhen at 8.20am before arriving to a warm reception at KIA.
Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Datuk Wong Hee Sieng, who represented Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin at the welcoming ceremony, said the weekly Tuesday service marks a significant step in enhancing direct air links between Sarawak and major Chinese cities.
“This is a very good development. With direct flights like this, people no longer need to transit through Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu.
“It will encourage more travel, whether from Chinese nationals or Malaysians,” he said.
The inaugural flight carried 85 passengers, while the return flight to Shenzhen the same night (departing at 7.55 pm) was fully booked with 171 passengers, reflecting encouraging early demand.
Wong added that Loong Air has verbally indicated plans to further expand its Sarawak footprint, with proposed routes from Hangzhou and Guangzhou expected to commence as early as March next year.
He said the Ministry of Transport, together with the Sarawak Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, will continue aggressive promotion efforts in China to boost tourist arrivals and spur local economic activities.
Meanwhile, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Xing Weiping, described the new Shenzhen–Kuching service as an important bridge connecting both regions.
He noted that Shenzhen, as China’s most innovative and economically vibrant city, holds strong appeal for Sarawakians, while Kuching’s cultural richness and hospitality make it a compelling destination for Chinese visitors.
“With this direct flight, the distance between the two cities is shortened, and the hearts of our people are brought closer,” he said.
Xing expressed optimism that more Chinese carriers will operate into Sarawak, particularly with growing travel demand supported by the bilateral visa-free policy.
He added that enhanced air links could further strengthen economic, tourism, and cultural cooperation between Sarawak and key regions in China, including Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.
