Tourism Malaysia warmly welcomed the arrival of the inaugural AirAsia flight AK1381 from Kunming, China, to Johor Bahru at approximately 6:45 am on 15th December 2025, marking a significant milestone in air connectivity between the two regions.
Using an Airbus A320 with a capacity of 180, the new scheduled service operates three times weekly on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. This direct service is the second route with direct access to Johor after Guangzhou, providing travellers from Kunming and surrounding regions.
Awang Shawal Awang Sulaiman, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia Southern Region, alongside with Jeffri Munir, Chief Operating Officer of Tourism Johor, Kathryn Lee Hwee Ching, Chairman of MATTA Johor Chapter, Noor Safura Suib, General Manager, Commercial Division of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB), Ibrahim Ismail, Station Manager GTR and Wan Suziana Wan Othman, Vice President of Investment IRDA joined the Air Asia crew in marking the inaugural Kunming – Johor Bharu sector with convenient access to Johor’s key attractions, including Desaru Coast, LEGOLAND Malaysia and the vibrant city of Johor Bahru.
Passengers on the maiden flight were personally welcomed by Awang, alongside representatives from AirAsia and officials from Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd.
As Kunming stands as a major economic and tourist hub, this direct connection will undoubtedly make Johor and Malaysia a prominent holiday destination. Aligned with the efforts to attract more visitors from the growing and affluent regions in southern and western China, the launch of this direct route by AirAsia is a strategic development of China-Malaysia air connectivity, stimulating visitor arrivals and strengthening the cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
The new route is set to further bolster Malaysia’s strong tourism momentum. From January to August 2025, Malaysia welcomed 3.3 million visitors from China, representing a 27.5% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2024. This sustained growth underscores Malaysia’s enduring appeal as a destination, driven by its rich diversity of attractions and experiences.
Tourism Malaysia extends its congratulations to AirAsia on this successful launch and encourages all travellers to discover the unique and unforgettable experiences that await in Malaysia. The commencement of this service provides a timely boost to Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem as the nation prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), further reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a leading global tourism destination.
