Klia, May 21: Malaysia Airlines, in strategic collaboration with Sabah Tourism Board, successfully hosted the third edition of its flagship Trade Elevation Summit from 12 to 15 May 2026 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. As Malaysia’s largest airline trade event, TES 2026 brought together key industry stakeholders from across the global travel and aviation ecosystem, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred tourism and connectivity hub during Visit Malaysia 2026. 
Building on the success of its inaugural edition in Kuala Lumpur and the subsequent gathering in Langkawi last year, TES 2026 welcomed more than 300 delegates, including trade partners, tourism stakeholders, key decision-makers, and top leadership from 60 cities globally, creating an exceptional platform for collaboration, innovation, and strategic dialogue.
Set against the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Sabah, delegates were immersed in curated experiences showcasing the very best of Kota Kinabalu and its surrounding islands. Experiences included a sunset cruise across Sabah’s scenic waters, the MH Trade Elevation Cup golf tournament, island and water activities in Manukan Island, sunrise hiking adventures overlooking Sabah’s coastline, and local culinary and beverage experiences that celebrated the state’s unique flavours and hospitality.
The four-day summit culminated in an exclusive gala evening on the third night, bringing together Malaysia Aviation Group’s (MAG) top leadership, 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 Group’s future direction with global trade partners. The evening also served as a platform to recognise the achievements and enduring 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 Airline Business from MAG, said,
“We are grateful to Sabah Tourism Board for their strong collaboration in bringing this year’s Trade Elevation Summit to Kota Kinabalu — a destination renowned for its breathtaking islands, rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. Hosting TES 2026 here allowed us 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 tourism growth and enhancing connectivity across Malaysia and beyond as we continue to champion Malaysia’s tourism offerings to the world during Visit Malaysia 2026 and beyond.”
Malaysia Airlines currently operates extensive connectivity into Sabah through Kuala Lumpur, supporting both domestic and international tourism flows into the state. In conjunction with the upcoming Kaamatan and Gawai festive season, Malaysia Airlines also introduced additional flights and subsidised fares across selected East Malaysia routes, including Sabah, to support greater travel accessibility and reconnect communities during the celebration period.
As an annual flagship initiative by Malaysia Airlines, TES continues to strengthen collaboration between international stakeholders and local tourism players while driving conversations around aviation growth, regional connectivity and destination marketing. Reinforcing Malaysia Airlines’ role as the nation’s flag carrier and global connector, TES 2026 underscores the airline’s ongoing commitment to championing Malaysia as a preferred travel destination through strategic partnerships, immersive travel experiences and seamless connectivity in support of broader national tourism aspirations during Visit Malaysia 2026.