Metro Manila, Philippines – Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X said it will launch a new service linking Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain and London Gatwick, positioning the Gulf kingdom as its first hub in the Middle East as the airline expands beyond its traditional Asian network.
The Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London route will begin on June 26, the airline said during a press conference in Manama. The Bahrain-London sector will operate as a “fifth-freedom” flight, allowing AirAsia X to carry passengers between the two cities as part of a longer journey originating from Malaysia.
The announcement signaled a renewed push into long-haul international markets for AirAsia X, which has been rebuilding its network following pandemic-era disruptions. Executives said Bahrain’s location between Asia and Europe makes it a strategic stopover for transit passengers traveling between the regions.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and adviser to AirAsia X, said the move is intended to strengthen connectivity linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe while supporting the group’s broader aviation businesses, including cargo and maintenance services.
Bahrain Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the agreement could help boost tourism, logistics and aviation-related employment as the country seeks to expand its role as a regional aviation and business center.
AirAsia X operates Airbus A330 aircraft on long-haul, low-cost routes from its main base in Kuala Lumpur. The airline said the new service would create additional one-stop connections for travelers from markets such as Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam heading to Europe via Bahrain.
Airlines across Asia and the Gulf have increasingly competed for transit passengers on Europe-Asia routes, with carriers exploring alternative hubs and partnerships as travel demand rebounds.
AirAsia X said tickets for the new service would go on sale immediately, with introductory promotional fares available for travel between late June and November.
