AirAsia X has announced a new international route linking Kuala Lumpur to London’s Gatwick airport via Bahrain, in the latest step in the budget airline’s global expansion.
The service, set to commence in June, would make Bahrain AirAsia X’s first hub outside Asia, making use of its location to connect South-East Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The move comes as Asia’s largest low-cost carrier last month completed the acquisition of the short-haul aviation business from parent Capital A, unifying the group’s seven airlines under a single banner.
This also marks a return to London more than a decade since non-stop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Gatwick and Stansted airports were suspended and its long-haul Airbus A340 jets retired.
The Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London route will be serviced by AirAsia X’s A330 fleet, as part of its efforts to expand international operations. The airline also launched flights from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul in November.
Bahrain as strategic hub
AirAsia X (AAX) marked a significant milestone in its international growth journey as it advances its medium-haul expansion beyond Asia, positioning Bahrain as a key strategic hub to strengthen connectivity between Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australia.
This development reflects AAX’s broader ambition to build a more globally connected long-haul network, anchored by strategic hubs beyond Southeast Asia. Bahrain’s strategic location and robust aviation make it central to AAX’s plans to facilitate greater flows of travellers, trade and tourism across regions.
Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia X, said: “This milestone reflects the broader transformation of AAX into a truly globally connected airline…backed by a secured orderbook of 374 aircraft and counting, as well as a comprehensive five-year growth plan that will see us steadily cementing our footprint across the regions.
Smaller aircraft to be considered
Reuters reported that AirAsia X is planning a significant order for small jets as it adds new routes and flights for Asia’s first-time travellers, while dropping its order for 15 larger Airbus A330neo planes.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor to AAX, said a choice between Airbus and Embraer regional models would be announced within the next month and would be larger than previously reported.
Industry sources have said AirAsia is poised to order up to 150 of Airbus’ smallest A220 jets, including firm orders for 100 jets and 50 options. Sources said that it could now be expanded to 150 firm orders.
AirAsia is also in the process of firming up an order for 50 Airbus A321XLR long-distance narrow-body jets, Fernandes said.
AirAsia, one of the European planemaker’s biggest customers, operates an all-Airbus fleet and has more than 350 A320-family narrow-body jets already on order. Last July, it agreed a provisional order for 50 longer-range A321XLR aircraft.
Photo of AirAsia aircraft taken by the writer.
