AirAsia X celebrates milestone as the first Southeast Asian airline flying direct to Almaty, Kazakhstan

SEPANG, March 14, 2024 -- Photo Caption: (From Left to Right) Karen Chan, Group Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia; Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, Deputy Chairman of Tourism Malaysia; Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, YB Tuan Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transportation of Malaysia; His Excellency Bulat Sugurbayev, Kazakhstan Ambassador to Malaysia at the send off ceremony for Almaty, Kazakhstan inaugural flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) today.

AirAsia X (AAX) is thrilled to announce its first foray into Central Asia with the launch of its direct flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan today.

This historic milestone marks AAX as the first Southeast Asian airline to establish a direct air link to Almaty, Kazakhstan's vibrant commercial and cultural epicentre. The introduction of this route highlights AAX's commitment to expanding its network strategically and providing convenient access to emerging markets while catering to the growing demand for seamless and affordable travel between Southeast Asia and Central Asia.

All 283 guests were celebrated with a festive ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) and sent off 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, 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 flies to Almaty with four weekly flights, offering more than 95,000 seats annually with competitive fares from RM599 or USD169 all-in* one-way. The promotional fares are available for booking starting 15 until 21 March 2024 for the travel period between now and 17 June 2025 on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app, previously known as ‘airasia Superapp’.

*The promotional all-in fares quoted are for one-way travel inclusive of taxes, fuel surcharge, and other relevant fees. Other terms and conditions apply.

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