KUALA LUMPUR, 1 August 2025 — HK Express, Hong Kong’s leading low-cost carrier and a member of the Cathay Pacific Group, celebrated the inaugural launch of its new direct service between Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur today with the arrival of flight UO716 at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang.

Gracing the occasion were Mr. Samuel Lee, Deputy Director General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia, and senior officials from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). Also onboard the inaugural flight were Ms. Rosita Tsang, Sales Manager of HK Express, along with popular TVB celebrities Mr. Tam Fai Chi and Ms. Che Yuen Yuen. The flight was specially chartered by Wing On Travel, bringing along fans in a celebration of travel and entertainment — a strong testament to the growing appeal of fan-based tourism experiences.

“This new connection reflects the strong and growing tourism ties between Malaysia and Hong Kong and supports our ongoing efforts to position Malaysia as a top travel destination in the region. We are excited to welcome more visitors to explore the rich, diverse experiences that Malaysia has to offer,” said Mr. Samuel Lee.

This new Hong Kong-Kuala Lumpur connection marks HK Express’ second destination in Malaysia, following the success of its Penang route. The airline will now operate daily direct flights between Hong Kong International Airport and Subang Airport, utilizing its modern Airbus A321 aircraft with 182 seats, offering passengers greater convenience and travel flexibility.

The schedule is as follows:

Flight Departure Airport & Time (ETD) Arrival Airport & Time (ETA) UO716 o Hong Kong International Airport o 4.35 PM o Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang (Subang Airport) o 8.30 PM UO717 o Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang (Subang Airport) o 9.30 PM o Hong Kong International Airport o 1.35 AM (2nd August 2025)

Strategically located just 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur city centre, Subang Airport offers swift access to major attractions such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang, and the vibrant food and cultural scenes of the capital. The new route also enhances connectivity for business travellers and regional explorers seeking quick, direct access to Malaysia’s urban and cultural hubs.

The Hong Kong-Kuala Lumpur service is expected to further stimulate bilateral tourism and economic collaboration. It also supports Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, which targets increased arrivals from strategic markets such as China and Hong Kong. From January to June 2025, Malaysia welcomed 2.17 million visitors from China, a remarkable 35.6g% increase over the same period in 2024, signaling strong market recovery and demand.

HK Express remains committed to making regional travel more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable. With this new route, the airline not only enhances its presence in Southeast Asia but also strengthens Malaysia’s position as a key destination for leisure, culture, and commerce.

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About Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. The next Visit Malaysia, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation's tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia actively endorses the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), working towards the realisation of the IMT-GT Visiting Year 2023-2025, with the shared aim of promoting the region as a unified tourism destination. For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.

About HK Express

HK Express is Hong Kong’s only low-cost carrier, dedicated to offering safe, reliable, and affordable air travel across Asia. As a member of the Cathay Group, HK Express operates with a strong emphasis on efficiency, innovation, and customer-centric service. With a growing network of destinations and a modern Airbus A320 family fleet, HK Express continues to expand travel opportunities for both leisure and business travelers in the region. HK Express operate to 2 destinations in Malaysia – Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

For enquiries, please contact:

Azmi Abdullah
Senior Deputy Director
International Promotion Division (Asia/Africa)
azmi@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +603 8891 8491

Norshariza Mohd Saad
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications Division
norshariza@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +603 8891 8775