(KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, MALAYSIA) Batik Air has launched new direct flights between Kota Kinabalu and Incheon, a move Sabah officials and industry players say will lift Korean arrivals and widen business links. The inaugural flight took off on Saturday, September 12, 2025, adding fresh capacity on a route that now counts five carriers and raising total weekly direct connections between Seoul and Kota Kinabalu from 25 to 28. The service positions Sabah to capture growing demand from South Korea, one of the state’s top international markets.
The new link comes as Sabah recorded 103,060 arrivals from South Korea from January to July 2025, after welcoming 192,059 South Korean visitors in 2024. Tourism leaders see air access as the key to sustaining that momentum. Batik Air’s schedule gives travelers more options, cuts travel time with nonstop flights, and supports Visit Malaysia Year 2026 plans to bring more international visitors to East Malaysia.
Batik Air’s leadership framed the launch as both a network and market strategy. CEO Chandran Rama Muthy said the airline is expanding Asian connections and backing national tourism goals.
“South Korea has long been an important market for Kota Kinabalu, and we are confident that this direct link will create more opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism growth, and business collaboration,” he said.
Sabah Tourism Minister Christina Liew called the service a “significant boost” and thanked the carrier for its confidence in Sabah as a premier destination.
Route details and schedule
Batik Air operates the Kota Kinabalu–Incheon route three times weekly.
- Departures from Kota Kinabalu: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
- Departures from Incheon: Monday, Thursday, Saturday
An example service, flight OD822, leaves Kota Kinabalu at 23:10 and lands in Incheon at 05:20, with a flight time of about 5 hours and 10 minutes. The airline is flying the Boeing 737-800 on the route.
Recent fares reported for Batik Air Malaysia flights between Kota Kinabalu and Seoul have ranged from RM839 to RM1,162, depending on season and booking date. With this added capacity, the total number of weekly direct flights between Seoul and Kota Kinabalu rises to 28, reflecting robust demand and expanding choice for travelers.
Sabah’s air bridge with South Korea is now served by five carriers:
- Jeju Air
- Jin Air
- AirAsia
- Batik Air Malaysia
- T’way Airlines
The route covers 3,660 km and has a one-hour time difference (Seoul is ahead), making late-night departures and early-morning arrivals well suited to maximize time on the ground.
Tickets for the new Batik Air direct flights are available through the airline’s website, major travel agencies, and online platforms. For seat availability and the latest schedules, travelers can visit Batik Air Malaysia at batikair.com.my or consult airport information from Incheon International Airport at airport.kr and Kota Kinabalu International Airport via Malaysia Airports at malaysiaairports.com.my.
Tourism impact and policy context
Industry and government stakeholders expect the route to accelerate growth in Korean arrivals by making Sabah easier to reach and more flexible to plan. With steady year-on-year gains from South Korea, the direct service fits Sabah’s push to market nature, islands, and culture to a segment that often travels in family and small-group formats.
Local operators and hotel associations anticipate:
- Higher occupancy and stronger bookings for tours, dining, and attractions
- Peak demand during Korean holiday periods
- More flexible package start days easing bottlenecks on popular tours
Officials also see benefits beyond holiday travel. More nonstop seats can support:
- Trade missions and meetings
- Small and medium business ties
- Promotional alignment by tourism boards and state agencies in South Korea
The competitive field, with five airlines on the corridor, suggests fares and product offerings may stay sharp, further stimulating demand.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the added frequency from Batik Air will help smooth seasonal swings by spreading travelers across more departure days. That could:
- Ease price spikes during school holidays
- Support steady load factors outside peak months
- Help Sabah plan staffing, transport, and visitor services more predictably
Practical travel notes
While air access has improved, travelers should plan for entry formalities. As of September 2025, the guidance is to follow standard entry rules for South Korean and Malaysian nationals and to check any public health advisories that might affect travel.
- Official entry information: imi.gov.my (Immigration Department of Malaysia)
- Airline bookings: batikair.com.my
- Destination support: sabahtourism.com (Sabah Tourism Board)
- Airport service details: airport.kr (Incheon) and malaysiaairports.com.my (Malaysia Airports)
Passengers should review airline baggage rules and any schedule updates close to departure, as timings can shift due to operational needs.
Who benefits and why it matters
The competitive landscape matters for both price and convenience. With Jeju Air, Jin Air, AirAsia, T’way Airlines, and Batik Air in the market, Korean travelers can match schedules to their plans—whether for weekend escapes or longer stays.
- Families: Late-night departures and early-morning arrivals let children sleep through most of the flight.
- Business travelers: Nonstop flights reduce transit time and fatigue, making short trips more viable.
- Tour operators: More start-day flexibility improves product offerings and reduces bottlenecks.
- Local economy: Jobs and spending rise across ground handlers, cabin crew, guides, drivers, small businesses, cultural groups, homestays, and community attractions.
Airlines may adjust capacity if demand climbs toward Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Analysts see room for frequency increases or larger aircraft if load factors remain strong.
Outlook
The route’s performance through late 2025 will likely shape airline planning for 2026. Marketing campaigns in South Korea tied to nature and island experiences, plus simpler flight schedules into Kota Kinabalu, are expected to keep demand healthy.
If numbers track upward, carriers could:
- Add frequency on peak days
- Tweak schedules to match Korean holiday patterns
- Deploy larger aircraft on high-demand days
For now, the message is clear: more nonstop seats between Kota Kinabalu and Incheon give travelers better choice at fair prices, and they give Sabah’s tourism economy another lift at the right time. With Batik Air’s entry, the bridge between Sabah and South Korea is stronger—and getting busier by the week.
This Article in a Nutshell
Batik Air launched a direct Kota Kinabalu–Incheon service on 12 September 2025, operating three weekly flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The entry increases weekly nonstop connections between Seoul/Incheon and Kota Kinabalu from 25 to 28, joining four other carriers on the route. Sabah recorded 103,060 South Korean arrivals from January to July 2025, following 192,059 visitors in 2024, and stakeholders expect the new service to boost tourism, business travel and local economic activity. Reported fares range from about RM839 to RM1,162. Officials and analysts say added frequency will smooth seasonal demand, improve occupancy patterns, and support Visit Malaysia Year 2026 promotion efforts. Travelers should confirm schedules, baggage rules and entry requirements before booking.
