Tuesday, July 2, 2024
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AirAsia X (AAX) marked a significant milestone today by announcing its inaugural flight to Nairobi, Kenya, establishing itself as the first Malaysian low-cost carrier to provide direct flights to this vibrant African capital. Scheduled to launch on November 15, 2024, this new route highlights AAX’s expansion and its leadership in connecting diverse cultures and economies.
Following a strong performance in the early months of the year, AAX has continued to enhance its network, including launching its first Central Asian route to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in March. The addition of the Nairobi route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening trade, tourism, and business links between Asia and Africa, particularly enhancing the connectivity from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi.
This route is poised to be a pivotal link, promoting economic growth and cultural exchange between the two regions. AAX will facilitate travel by offering a seamless Fly-Thru service, linking Nairobi with over 130 destinations throughout Southeast Asia, Northern and Central Asia, and Australia. This network aims to provide affordable and convenient travel options, furthering AAX’s dedication to global connectivity.
YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture said: “AirAsia X’s first foray into Nairobi is indeed 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.”
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A said: “We are thrilled to announce a direct new route, bridging Malaysia and Kenya. This milestone, coming on the heels of our 15th consecutive win as Skytrax’s World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, 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. 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.”
Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X added: “Embarking on this new adventure into Africa is truly exhilarating, particularly in light of our significant growth trajectory earlier this year. We anticipate carrying over 156,000 travellers annually on this route, which will strengthen ties and boost the tourism sectors in both Malaysia and Kenya. Furthermore, this route presents excellent connectivity opportunities to other key markets we serve, including Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand. 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.”
In anticipation of the inaugural flight to Nairobi, AAX is offering an exclusive promotion with FREE Seats* available from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, aimed at attracting adventure enthusiasts, global travelers, and wildlife aficionados. These promotional bookings can be made via the AirAsia MOVE app until July 14, 2024, for travel between November 15, 2024, and October 8, 2025.
Nairobi, set amidst expansive grass plains and rich wildlife, is not only known for its natural beauty and safari tours but also for its dynamic urban scene, cultural depth, and culinary diversity, reflecting its complex heritage and traditions.