Juneyao Air operated its inaugural HO1361 flight from Shanghai Pudong to Tawau, Malaysia, on 15 January, establishing the first non-stop link between mainland China and the eco-tourism hotspot of Semporna. The Airbus A320 departed Pudong at 16:08 and touched down in Tawau ahead of schedule at 20:39 local time, according to real-time flight data.
The once-weekly service, timed for the winter-spring season, targets China’s rapidly growing adventure-travel segment. Tawau serves as the gateway to Sipadan and Mabul, regarded among the world’s top diving destinations, and to Sabah’s palm-oil plantations where Chinese agribusinesses maintain joint ventures.
For Malaysian inbound operators, the route diversifies visitor sources beyond Kuala Lumpur and boosts recovery plans after pandemic-driven downturns. Chinese travellers benefit from Malaysia’s own 30-day visa-free policy, introduced in December 2025, eliminating paperwork for holidaymakers and MICE groups alike. Cargo holds will also carry high-value e-commerce freight—especially seafood and specialty coffee bound for Shanghai’s consumer market.
![Juneyao Air Launches First Direct Shanghai–Tawau Service, Linking China to Malaysia’s Diving Hub]()
Whether you’re a first-time visitor taking advantage of the 30-day visa-free window or a business traveler piecing together multi-country itineraries around Borneo, VisaHQ can streamline any additional documentation you might need. Their China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers step-by-step applications, courier pickup and status tracking for Malaysian, Indonesian and other Southeast Asian visas—useful backup if your Sipadan dive trip evolves into a wider regional adventure.
Corporate mobility teams with projects in East Malaysia can now bypass congested hubs such as Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, trimming door-to-door journey times by up to six hours. Juneyao said bookings on its Chinese website surged following content-creator videos showcasing Sabah’s coral reefs; the carrier is evaluating a second weekly frequency if load factors exceed 80 percent.
Travellers should note that Tawau Airport offers limited lounge facilities and no private-jet handling; VIP clients may require ground-handling arrangements in advance. Regional health authorities still recommend proof of yellow-fever vaccination for arrivals from certain African or Latin American countries transiting through China.
The once-weekly service, timed for the winter-spring season, targets China’s rapidly growing adventure-travel segment. Tawau serves as the gateway to Sipadan and Mabul, regarded among the world’s top diving destinations, and to Sabah’s palm-oil plantations where Chinese agribusinesses maintain joint ventures.
For Malaysian inbound operators, the route diversifies visitor sources beyond Kuala Lumpur and boosts recovery plans after pandemic-driven downturns. Chinese travellers benefit from Malaysia’s own 30-day visa-free policy, introduced in December 2025, eliminating paperwork for holidaymakers and MICE groups alike. Cargo holds will also carry high-value e-commerce freight—especially seafood and specialty coffee bound for Shanghai’s consumer market.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor taking advantage of the 30-day visa-free window or a business traveler piecing together multi-country itineraries around Borneo, VisaHQ can streamline any additional documentation you might need. Their China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers step-by-step applications, courier pickup and status tracking for Malaysian, Indonesian and other Southeast Asian visas—useful backup if your Sipadan dive trip evolves into a wider regional adventure.
Corporate mobility teams with projects in East Malaysia can now bypass congested hubs such as Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, trimming door-to-door journey times by up to six hours. Juneyao said bookings on its Chinese website surged following content-creator videos showcasing Sabah’s coral reefs; the carrier is evaluating a second weekly frequency if load factors exceed 80 percent.
Travellers should note that Tawau Airport offers limited lounge facilities and no private-jet handling; VIP clients may require ground-handling arrangements in advance. Regional health authorities still recommend proof of yellow-fever vaccination for arrivals from certain African or Latin American countries transiting through China.
