Low-cost carrier AirAsia X will fly to Africa for the first time, announcing the launch of non-stop Kuala Lumpur-Nairobi (Kenya) flights later this year.
Commencing 15 November 2024, the new AirAsia X service will be the only direct link between Malaysia and Sub-Saharan Africa and one of just a handful of nonstop flights between Southeast Asia and the African continent. It will also be the only low-cost option between East Asia and Africa.
The announcement comes after parent company, AirAsia, stated its intention earlier this year to create the world’s first global low-cost carrier network.
The long-haul arm of AirAsia, AirAsia X (AAX) also made its first foray into Central Asia in March, with flights to Almaty (Kazakhstan).
Through its new KL-Nairobi flights, AirAsia X hopes to boost tourism and trade ties between the Malaysian and Kenyan regions.
To mark the milestone service, AirAsia X will offer Aussie travellers some super low fares between Australia and Kenya (via KL), with ex-Perth flights from AU$463, ex-Sydney from AU$631 and ex-Melbourne from AU$618.
The one-way fares are inclusive of all taxes and charges for travel between 15 November 2024 and 8 October 2025. The promotion is only available on the AirAsia MOVE app until 7 July 2024.
AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said the new service “embodies our mission to connect the world affordably”.
“This 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,” he remarked.
“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.”
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said the carrier expected to carry more than 156,000 travellers per year on the route.
“Furthermore, this route presents excellent connectivity opportunities to other key markets we serve, including Australia, China, South Korea, Japan and Thailand,” he added.
“Travellers across the region can now journey more affordably to Kenya, with a convenient stopover in Kuala Lumpur.
“Both Malaysia and Kenya are vibrant nations, each home to millions of people and a rich tapestry of beautiful heritages and extraordinary sceneries.
“We look forward to further enriching the cultural and economic exchanges between these dynamic regions.”
Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing called the move a “proud and celebratory occasion for us Malaysians”.
“For more than two decades, the airline has effectively bridged the gap between Asia, Australia and beyond to Malaysia and now, we can look forward to receiving more travellers from Kenya to explore our beautiful destinations in Malaysia such as Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Langkawi and others, particularly as we envision welcoming 35.6 million tourists, generating target receipts of RM147. 1 billion for Visit Malaysia 2026,” he stated.
Bold plans
In February, AirAsia said that it plans to grow its network to Europe, North America and Africa when its new spec aircraft are delivered in the coming years, operating a hub and spoke model with several new virtual hubs.
And AirAsia airlines have certainly been busy Down Under recently. In June, subsidiary AirAsia Indonesia unveiled a new three-times-weekly service between Cairns and Bali’s Denpasar Airport. Indonesia AirAsia also operates Perth-Bali and Perth-Jakarta flights.
Elsewhere, Western Australia welcomed the arrival of sister carrier, AirAsia Malaysia, into the Australian aviation market, with the first flight touching down at Perth Airport in March.
