Malaysia Airlines brings Malaysia’s largest aviation trade summit to Sabah | News
Malaysia Airlines, in strategic collaboration with Sabah Tourism Board, successfully hosted the third edition of its flagship Trade Elevation Summit (TES) from May 12 to 15, 2026 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. As the largest airline trade event in Malaysia, TES 2026 brought together key industry stakeholders from across the global travel and aviation ecosystem, strengthening Malaysia’s position as a preferred hub for tourism and connectivity at Visit Malaysia 2026.
Building on the success of the first edition in Kuala Lumpur and the subsequent meeting in Langkawi last year, TES 2026 welcomed more than 300 delegates, including trade partners, tourism stakeholders, key decision makers and top leaders from 60 cities worldwide, creating an exceptional platform for collaboration, innovation and strategic dialogue.
Against the backdrop of Sabah’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, delegates were immersed in curated experiences that showcased the very best of Kota Kinabalu and the surrounding islands. Experiences included a sunset cruise across Sabah’s scenic waters, the MH Trade Elevation Cup golf tournament, island and water activities at Manukan Island, sunrise hiking adventures overlooking Sabah’s coastline, and local culinary and beverage experiences that celebrated the state’s unique flavors and hospitality.
The four-day summit culminated in an exclusive gala evening on the third evening, bringing together top management of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), including Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer; Bryan Foong, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business and Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airline Business, who shared strategic updates and the future direction of the Group with global trading partners. The evening also served as a platform to recognize the achievements and continued support of trade partners through the prestigious Golden Wau Awards, as well as a newly introduced special recognition category for outstanding social engagement initiatives.
Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of MAG’s Airline Business, said: “We are grateful to the Sabah Tourism Board for their strong partnership to bring this year’s Trade Elevation Summit to Kota Kinabalu – a destination known for its breathtaking islands, rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. By hosting TES 2026 here, we were able to showcase the very best of Sabah while strengthening meaningful partnerships with our global trade partners. As the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines remains committed to driving growing tourism and improving connectivity across Malaysia and beyond as we continue to champion Malaysia’s tourism offering to the world at Visit Malaysia 2026 and beyond.”
Malaysia Airlines currently operates extensive connections to Sabah via Kuala Lumpur, supporting both domestic and international tourist flows to the state. In conjunction with the upcoming festive season in Kaamatan and Gawai, Malaysia Airlines has also introduced additional flights and subsidized fares on select routes in East Malaysia, including Sabah, to support greater travel accessibility and reconnect communities during the festive period.
As Malaysia Airlines’ annual flagship initiative, TES continues to strengthen collaboration between international stakeholders and local tourism players, while driving conversations around aviation growth, regional connectivity and destination marketing. TES 2026 strengthens Malaysia Airlines’ role as a national carrier and global connector and underlines the airline’s continued commitment to champion Malaysia as a travel destination of choice through strategic partnerships, immersive travel experiences and seamless connectivity in support of broader national tourism ambitions during Visit Malaysia 2026.
