Malaysian longhaul low-cost carrier, AirAsia X (AAX), which flies to over 130 destinations worldwide, announced it will conduct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi and begin a strategic collaboration with the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024 in Nairobi on October 3.
The flight marks the carrier’s first foray into Africa. Chief Commercial Officer at AirAsia Group Paul Carroll told Travel News’ sister inbound publication, Tourism Update, that the airline is also exploring routes from Kuala Lumpur into Cape Town and Johannesburg.
“We are still negotiating this but hope to have the flights in place by the fourth quarter of 2025.”
The Nairobi route will test demand for flights into and from Africa, he added.
The collaboration between AAX and KTB includes joint promotional activities, coordinated marketing campaigns and collaborative efforts to enhance travel experiences.
The East African Community region has set a goal to attract over 14 million international tourists annually by 2025 with Nairobi positioned as a major hub in its tourism strategy.
KTB CEO June Chepkemei said the new flights will enhance Nairobi’s profile as a gateway for regional and international travel, driving economic benefits and promoting cultural exchange.
Kenya was chosen as AAX’s first destination as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the second largest transit hub in Africa.
‘Major milestone’
Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, said the development was a major milestone in the airline’s mission to connect Asia with Africa and it opened up a world of travel possibilities between the two continents.
Ismail said the eight-hour direct route will carry 16 000 passengers between Nairobi and Malaysia in 2024 and over 140 000 in 2025. “If there is strong demand, we hope to start daily flights.”