City airport opens first direct flight to Kuching, Malaysia
2026-04-11 19:04:10
By Hu Yikai
Yichang Sanxia International Airport opened its first direct route to Kuching, Malaysia on April 10, as Changan Airlines flight 9H8477 took off. The service operates once a week using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The flight departs Yichang at 4:50 pm and arrives in Kuching at 10 pm. The return flight leaves Kuching at 11 pm and arrives in Yichang at 4:05 am the next day. (All times are Beijing Time.)
The new route links western Hubei Province with eastern Malaysia. It facilitates tourism, business, and family visits, while also boosting economic and cultural exchanges between Yichang and Southeast Asia.
To prepare for the launch, the airport coordinated with airlines and border authorities, streamlining check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling. The immigration station adjusted staffing and operations, while customs introduced a simplified clearance process to speed up passenger checks.
Chinese citizens with valid ordinary passports and Malaysian citizens with valid ordinary passports can travel visa-free for up to 30 days. The exemption covers tourism, family visits, business, and medical purposes.
Wang Tingting, Zhang Na, and Zhong Gaosheng also contributed to this story.
Yichang Sanxia International Airport opened its first direct route to Kuching, Malaysia on April 10, as Changan Airlines flight 9H8477 took off. The service operates once a week using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
A Changan Airlines aircraft at Yichang Sanxia International Airport. Photo by Wang Tingting.
The flight departs Yichang at 4:50 pm and arrives in Kuching at 10 pm. The return flight leaves Kuching at 11 pm and arrives in Yichang at 4:05 am the next day. (All times are Beijing Time.)
The new route links western Hubei Province with eastern Malaysia. It facilitates tourism, business, and family visits, while also boosting economic and cultural exchanges between Yichang and Southeast Asia.
To prepare for the launch, the airport coordinated with airlines and border authorities, streamlining check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling. The immigration station adjusted staffing and operations, while customs introduced a simplified clearance process to speed up passenger checks.
Chinese citizens with valid ordinary passports and Malaysian citizens with valid ordinary passports can travel visa-free for up to 30 days. The exemption covers tourism, family visits, business, and medical purposes.
Wang Tingting, Zhang Na, and Zhong Gaosheng also contributed to this story.
