Summary
- AirAsia X launches nonstop intercontinental service connecting Malaysia to Kenya, starting in November.
- The new route will operate four times weekly and aims to strengthen ties in tourism, business, and trade between the two continents.
- This is part of AirAsia’s strategy to develop the world’s first global low-cost carrier network, announced by Tony Fernandes in February.
Today, in a glittering spectacle at AirAsia RedQ in Kuala Lumpur, Tony Fernandes, the face of AirAsia and CEO of parent company Capital A, launched a new nonstop intercontinental service connecting Malaysia to Kenya. The new route will commence in November, and today marks a historic milestone for the AirAsia group and its medium-haul airline, AirAsia X, which will operate the flights.
A red letter day in Kuala Lumpur
On November 15, 2024, AirAsia X will send one of its widebody Airbus A330s from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), becoming the sole low-cost carrier in Malaysia to offer direct air connectivity to the city.
Photo: AirAsia X
Today, Tony Fernandes said the group is thrilled to announce a direct new route, bridging Malaysia and Kenya, adding that the new route not only opens up Asia to Africa but also has the potential to “strengthen ties in tourism, business and trade between the two continents.”
“It marks the beginning of a new journey into Africa, and while our roots are in Asia and ASEAN, our dream has always been to make Kuala Lumpur a global low-cost carrier hub. This expansion brings us closer to that vision, giving us a solid footing to build global connections and opportunities.”
Fernandes also mentioned that the launch to Africa comes hot on the heels of winning the Skytrax World Best Low-Cost Airline award, the 15th consecutive year AirAsia has been named world champion. AirAsia X expects to carry more than 156,000 passengers annually on the route and also sees significant opportunities for strengthening business ties and moving cargo between Malaysia and East Africa.
This year has seen AirAsia and its airlines throw off the shackles of the COVID-19 era with excellent financial results, high passenger load factors and resuming and launching routes across the domestic and international network. Among the new routes was AirAsia’s first services in Central Asia, with AirAsia X flights to Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, and Nairobi is the second step in that eastward expansion.
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AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail was also at the spectacular launch in Kuala Lumpur. He said that the route will strengthen ties and boost the tourism sectors in Malaysia and Kenya, home to millions of people and a rich tapestry of beautiful heritages and extraordinary scenery.
“This route represents excellent connectivity opportunities to other key markets we serve, including Australia, China, South Korea, Japan and Thailand. Travelers across the region can now journey more affordably to Kenya, with a convenient stopover in Kuala Lumpur.”
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More affordable connections
To truly grasp the importance of AirAsia to Asia, one must understand the vast impact the airline group has made on people’s lives across the region, democratizing air travel and opening affordable connections at home in Malaysia and afar. Not only does the new route to Kenya’s capital city Nairobi open Malaysia to Africa, but it also brings seamless and affordable fly-through connections to 130 destinations across Southeast Asia, Northern and Central Asia and Australia.
Photo: Rei Imagine | Shutterstock
Despite its relative proximity to East Africa, Australia is not well served with air connections to the continent, and many will see this new Airbus A330-300 service as an opportunity to get there affordably. To entice them to do that, the airline is offering some special fares for flights booked on the AirAsia MOVE app between July 1 and July 14, 2024, for travel from November 15, 2024, to October 8, 2025.
Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock
AirAsia said these are the lowest fares available in the market, and the special promotion is offering flights from Sydney to Nairobi for AU$631 ($415), from Perth for AU$463 ($305) and from Melbourne for AU$618 ($407). While there are some terms and conditions, it must be noted that these fares are inclusive of all taxes and charges.
The new flights will operate four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. AirAsia X flight D7 101 will depart Kuala Lumpur at the connection-friendly time of 19:00 and arrive in Nairobi at 23:00, while the return flight D7 102 departs Kenya at 00:30 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 15:10.
This is a bold move that marks the start of AirAsia’s global expansion, bringing to the life Tony Fernandes’ dream of a worldwide network of low-cost carriers with hubs on all continents, although Antartctica might not be on his network plan just yet. It is an exciting day for the co-founder, the airline, its people and Malaysia and they are certainly giving it life in a spectacular way.
What do you think of AirAsia going to Africa? Let us know in the comments.
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