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Article - Airline

HK Express to launch new route to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

by Jeffrey Teruel - Founder/Editor-Flights in Asia
Published on July 23, 2025

Summary

HK Express has announced it will launch a third route to Malaysia before year's end with the addition of a new service to Kota Kinabalu – the capital of the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah.



HK Express has announced it will launch a third route to Malaysia before year's end with the addition of a new service to Kota Kinabalu – the capital of the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah.


The budget carrier subsidiary of the Cathay Group announced the new Hong Kong-Kota Kinabalu flights will start on November 27. Operating daily, the outbound flight UO790 will depart Hong Kong at 2125H and arrive at Kota Kinabalu just after midnight at around 0030H. The return flight – UO791 – will depart Kota Kinabalu at 0130H and arrive later in the morning around 0445H.


Kota Kinabalu will be HK Express' third destination Malaysia. Recently, HK Express launched flights to Penang on July 22. On August 1, HK Express will then launch direct flights to Kuala Lumpur's alternate hub – Subang.


According to HK Express CEO Jeannette Mao, Malaysia has become one of the airline's  most popular destinations. Mao credited the relaxation of visa policies for travelers from Mainland China – Malaysia's second-largest international tourist market.


“Malaysia has emerged as one of Asia’s most popular travel destinations in recent years, with inbound tourist numbers surging over 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year. Notably, the relaxation of visa policies has significantly boosted arrivals from Chinese Mainland, now Malaysia’s second-largest international tourist market,” Mao said.


The new route will provide a competing connection between Hong Kong and Kota Kinabalu. AirAsia currently operates daily flights between the to cities.


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