Tourism Malaysia has welcomed the launch of Jiangxi Air’s inaugural direct service between Nanchang and Kuala Lumpur, marking the airline’s first international scheduled route. The milestone was celebrated on August 25, 2025, when flight RY6607 from Nanchang Changbei International Airport landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
The new connection establishes the first direct air link between Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi Province in eastern China, and Malaysia’s capital. Officials from Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Tourism Malaysia and Jiangxi Air attended the inaugural ceremony at KLIA to mark the occasion.
Strengthening China–Malaysia connectivity
Jiangxi Air will operate the Nanchang–Kuala Lumpur service twice weekly using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 175 seats. Flight RY6607 departs Nanchang at 10:00 a.m. and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 3:00 p.m., while the return service RY6608 departs KLIA at 4:00 p.m. and arrives in Nanchang at 9:00 p.m. All times are local.
Tourism officials said the new service is expected to increase leisure and business travel flows between the two destinations, create more economic opportunities and enhance cultural exchange. “This new air link is a testament to the strong and ever-growing tourism ties between Malaysia and China. It not only enhances connectivity but also supports our continuous efforts to position Malaysia as a premier travel destination in the region. We look forward to welcoming more Chinese visitors to experience Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse offerings,” said YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.
Historic milestone for Jiangxi Air
The Nanchang–Kuala Lumpur route represents Jiangxi Air’s debut on the international stage. Established jointly by Xiamen Air and the Jiangxi Provincial Government, the low-cost carrier has focused primarily on domestic operations since its founding. Choosing Malaysia as its first overseas destination demonstrates the airline’s confidence in Malaysia’s tourism appeal and its role as a strategic hub for Southeast Asia.
Mr. Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary General (Tourism), and YBhg. Dato’ Normah Osman, Deputy Secretary General (Policy) of the Ministry of Transport, officiated the event. Also present were Mr. Samuel Lee, Deputy Director General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of MAHB, and Mr. Kang Zhiyang, General Manager of Jiangxi Air.
Boosting arrivals from China
From January to June 2025, Malaysia received 2.17 million visitors from China, a 35.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The rising demand highlights Chinese travelers’ growing interest in Malaysian destinations. The addition of direct flights from Jiangxi Province is expected to further accelerate this momentum and diversify the Chinese source markets for Malaysia.
Officials said the service will also strengthen trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges between the two regions. Malaysia’s emphasis on global air connectivity is part of its wider strategy to boost international tourism ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
Tourism Malaysia confirmed that it will continue collaborating with international carriers, airport authorities and tourism stakeholders to expand connectivity and enhance the country’s position as a world-class travel hub. With Jiangxi Air’s inaugural international route now linking Nanchang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia anticipates a new wave of travelers from eastern China contributing to the country’s tourism growth.
