Asia’s low-cost carrier Air Asia is considering launching scheduled flights to two destinations in South Africa.
Air Asia is set to launch its first flight into Africa next month, with Nairobi flights starting in mid-November.
Asia’s leading long-haul low-cost carrier, AirAsia X, flies to over 130 destinations across Southeast Asia, Northern and Central Asia, and Australia
NAIROBI FLIGHTS
Air Asia will launch direct flights between its hub in Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi on 15 November.
The long-haul route will be operated four times a week, using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, seating up to 377 passengers.
The eight-hour direct route is projected to carry 16 000 passengers between Nairobi and Malaysia in 2024 and over 140 000 in 2025.
If there is sufficient demand for more flights Air Asia will indeed consider adding more frequencies.
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SOUTH AFRICA ON THE HORIZON
Air Asia’s Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Carroll, told Tourism Update that Air Asia is also exploring options for South Africa flights. He said that both Cape Town and Johannesburg were on the radar.
“We are still negotiating this but hope to have the flights in place by the fourth quarter of 2025.”
He said that the new Nairobi route will be used as a case study for further expansion into Africa.
“The Nairobi route will test demand for flights into and from Africa,” Carroll said.
AIR ASIA EXPANDS INTO AFRICA
The Nairobi route marks Air Asia’s first real foray into Africa.
“We are excited to launch our new direct route to Nairobi next month. This is a major milestone in our mission to connect Asia with Africa and opens up a world of travel possibilities between the two continents.” Benyamin Ismail CEO of AirAsia X said.
That said, Air Asia has previously operated flights between Kuala Lumpur and Mauritius.
In 2016, the budget airline commenced flights to the island of Mauritius but then terminated the route in 2017.
