Malaysia recently celebrated the arrival of Loong Air’s new inaugural flight on the Xi’an-Kuala Lumpur route at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 on July 6th. This flight not only represents a milestone in tourism and economic cooperation between Malaysia and China, but it also signifies a strategic partnership aligned with Malaysia’s broader tourism objectives.

A special welcoming ceremony featured notable attendees including Yeoh Soon Hin, Deputy Chair of Tourism Malaysia, and Samuel Lee, Deputy Director-General. Li Dong, Vice-President for Overseas Business at Loong Air, emphasized the airline’s commitment to establishing Malaysia as a key Southeast Asian hub.

“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.”
“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.”

The new route operates with a 174-seat Airbus A320, flying three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Flight GJ8721 departs from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) at 8:35 PM, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 1:55 AM. The return flight GJ8722 leaves Kuala Lumpur at 2:55 AM, reaching Xi’an at 7:55 AM.

This expansion aligns with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), which aims to attract more Chinese visitors, a significant market for Malaysia’s tourism. From January to April 2025, the Malaysian tourism sector recorded 1.44 million Chinese visitors, marking a 37.8% increase over the previous year. Additionally, the extension of a visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals until December 31, further facilitates seamless travel and encourages longer stays.