Loong Air flew the inaugural flight of its new Xi’an-Penang route into Penang International Airport on Monday, December 30th. The new service operates twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays on a 168-seater Airbus A320.

Passengers and crew aboard the flight were warmly welcomed by Tourism Malaysia deputy chair Yeoh Soon Hin, director-general Manoharan Periasamy, and Ding Qiao, China’s vice-consul-general in Penang.

Yeoh stated this new route exemplifies Loong Air’s international growth strategy, reaffirming Malaysia as a top destination for Chinese tourists, especially those from northern China.

The Xi’an-Penang route aligns with Visit Malaysia Year 2026’s goals and reinforces Malaysia’s dedication to enhancing ties with China. Over 3 million Chinese tourists traveled to Malaysia last year, showing a significant 132.7% increase since 2023, attributed to visa-free travel policies and improved air connectivity, thus improving the chances of cultural exchange and increasing visitor numbers.