AirAsia X (AAX) proudly embarked on its pioneering journey into Central Asia with the launch of its direct flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking a historic milestone in Southeast Asian aviation. The inaugural flight signifies AAX’s status as the first airline from the region to establish a direct air link to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s dynamic commercial and cultural hub.
The introduction of this route underscores AAX’s strategic expansion efforts and its commitment to providing convenient access to emerging markets, meeting the growing demand for seamless and affordable travel between Southeast Asia and Central Asia.
The celebratory event at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) saw all 283 guests off with a festive ceremony attended by esteemed dignitaries including Minister of Transport Malaysia, Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Kazakhstan Ambassador to Malaysia, Bulat Sugurbayev, Capital A, Executive Chairman, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia X CEO, Benyamin Ismail, along with other industry partners.
Anthony Loke hailed the inaugural flight as a significant milestone in Malaysian aviation, emphasising its role in enhancing connectivity and strengthening cultural and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Malaysia.
He commended AirAsia X for its commitment to excellence in the aviation sector and expressed optimism for the future recovery of passenger traffic in 2024.
Kamarudin Meranun, expressed excitement over the new route to Almaty, highlighting its potential to foster economic and diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Kazakhstan, especially amid the countries’ robust bilateral trade.
While Benyamin Ismail, hailed the launch as a significant leap forward for the airline, reflecting its dedication to expanding its global footprint and reconnecting travellers with captivating destinations.
He expressed confidence in the airline’s ability to enhance tourism and foster regional ties with its entry into the Kazakh market. AAX operates four weekly flights to Almaty, offering over 95,000 seats annually with competitive fares starting from RM599 or USD169 all-in* one-way. Promotional fares are available for booking from 15 to 21 March 2024 for travel until 17 June 2025 on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.
