AirAsia X the first Southeast Asian airline with direct flights to Kazakhstan

Thursday, March 14, 2024

AirAsia X (AAX) is delighted to announce its inaugural venture into Central Asia with the commencement of its direct flight service to Almaty, Kazakhstan today.

This significant achievement marks AAX as the pioneering Southeast Asian airline to establish a direct air route to Almaty, the bustling commercial and cultural hub of Kazakhstan. The introduction of this route underscores AAX’s dedication to strategic network expansion and its commitment to providing convenient access to burgeoning markets, while meeting the increasing demand for seamless and economical travel between Southeast Asia and Central Asia.

A festive ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) celebrated the departure of all 283 passengers. The event was graced by YB Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia, Mr. Bulat Sugurbayev, Kazakhstan Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Executive Chairman of Capital A; Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, along with other dignitaries and industry partners.

Minister of Transport, YB Tuan Loke Siew Fook said: “As we celebrate AirAsia X’s inaugural flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan, we mark a significant milestone in Malaysian aviation. This new route not only enhances connectivity but also emphasises our commitment to a world-class air transport system. It symbolises our dedication to becoming a global aviation hub and strengthens cultural and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Malaysia. Congratulations to AirAsia X on this milestone, and as we look to the future, we anticipate a more pronounced recovery in passenger traffic for 2024, with passenger numbers ranging from 93.9 million to 107.1 million. Let us continue striving for excellence in our aviation sector.”

Chairman of Capital A, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said: “We are thrilled to celebrate AirAsia X’s first new route to Almaty, Kazakhstan, symbolising a pivotal moment in the airline’s commitment to fostering economic and diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Kazakhstan, now celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2024. With bilateral trade reaching tens of millions of USD between the two countries, the potential for further collaboration in various sectors including tourism is vast. Looking ahead, we anticipate AAX’s flights to Almaty will serve as a conduit for business opportunities, facilitating trade exchanges and fostering growth in both nations.”

AirAsia X CEO, Benyamin Ismail added: “The launch of our direct flights to Almaty today with an impressive almost a hundred per cent load factor marks a significant leap forward for AirAsia X as we venture into the heart of Central Asia. This strategic move underscores our continued commitment to expanding our global footprint and reconnecting travellers with the world’s most captivating destinations. We are confident that our entry into the Kazakh market will not only enhance tourism between both countries but also foster closer ties regionally as we can connect the people in the largest country in Central Asia to 130 destinations from Kuala Lumpur. As we continue to expand our increasing network across the region and presence in Central Asia, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for the airline.” 

AAX operates four weekly flights to Almaty, providing over 95,000 seats annually at competitive rates starting from RM599 or USD169 all-in* for one-way travel. These special promotional fares can be booked from March 15 to March 21, 2024, for travel between now and June 17, 2025, through airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app, formerly known as the ‘airasia Superapp’.

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