Third from left: Manoharan Periasamy (Director-General, Tourism Malaysia) ;Bo Lingam (Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group); Datuk Dr. Yasmin Mahmood (Chairman, Tourism Malaysia); Datuk Kamarudin Meranun (Executive Chairman of Capital A), Dato’ Fam Lee Ee (Chairman of AirAsia X); Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin (Deputy Chairman, Tourism Malaysia); Benyamin Ismail (CEO of AirAsia X); Paul Carroll AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer and His Excellency Ruzaimi Mohamad (High Commissioner-Designate of Malaysia to the Republic of Kenya) during the press conference for the launch of the Nairobi route at Atrium, RedQ.

SEPANG, 1 July 2024 - AirAsia X (AAX) today celebrated a monumental milestone with the announcement of a brand new route to Africa - connecting travellers to safari haven Nairobi in Kenya’s capital.

Set to take its first flight on 15 November 2024, this marks a historic achievement for AAX as the sole low-cost carrier in Malaysia to offer direct air connectivity to the colourful city. 

This move follows the airline's solid start to the year, showcasing a robust trajectory in its financial results with strong load factors and regaining market leadership on the network front. In March this year, AAX also introduced new flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan, its maiden entry into Central Asia.

The Nairobi route serves as a crucial link in connecting Asia to Africa, fostering stronger trade, tourism and business ties within the region. By facilitating direct air travel between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi, the airline aims to enhance accessibility and spur economic opportunities for both countries. 

AAX will also offer a seamless Fly-Thru connection, creating a vital link between Kenya and 130 destinations across Southeast Asia, Northern and Central Asia, and Australia providing affordable and convenient travel options for all while reinforcing its commitment to global connectivity.

YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture said: “AirAsia X’s first foray into Nairobi is indeed a proud and celebratory occasion for us Malaysians. For more than two decades, the airline has effectively bridged the gap between Asia, Australia and beyond to Malaysia and now, we can look forward to receiving more travellers from Kenya to explore our beautiful destinations in Malaysia such as Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Langkawi and others, particularly as we envision welcoming 35.6 million tourists, generating target receipts of RM147. 1 billion for Visit Malaysia 2026.”

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A said: “We are thrilled to announce a direct new route, bridging Malaysia and Kenya. This milestone, coming on the heels of our 15th consecutive win as Skytrax’s World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, embodies our mission to connect the world affordably. This new route not only opens up Asia to Africa but also has the potential to strengthen ties in tourism, business and trade between the two continents. It marks the beginning of a new journey into Africa, and while our roots are in Asia and Asean, our dream has always been to make Kuala Lumpur a global low cost carrier hub. This expansion brings us closer to that vision, giving us a solid footing to build global connections and opportunities.”

Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X added: “Embarking on this new adventure into Africa is truly exhilarating, particularly in light of our significant growth trajectory earlier this year. We anticipate carrying over 156,000 travellers annually on this route, which will strengthen ties and boost the tourism sectors in both Malaysia and Kenya. Furthermore, this route presents excellent connectivity opportunities to other key markets we serve, including Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand. Travellers across the region can now journey more affordably to Kenya, with a convenient stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Both Malaysia and Kenya are vibrant nations, each home to millions of people and a rich tapestry of beautiful heritages and extraordinary sceneries. We look forward to further enriching the cultural and economic exchanges between these dynamic regions.”

As AAX gears up to rev its engines into Africa, thrill seekers, globe trotters and nature lovers can soon immerse themselves in the Kenyan adventure with FREE Seats* from Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi. This promotion is exclusively available for booking on the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly known as the airasia Superapp) from now until 14 July 2024 for the travel period between 15 November 2024 and 8 October 2025.

Situated in the heart of Kenya, Nairobi boasts acres of lush greenery, wide open grass plains that go as far as the eye can see and an abundance of wildlife that often attracts throngs of tourists who hope to catch a glimpse of the near-extinct Northern White Rhino or the Great Migration in Masai Mara. If the breathtaking skylines or the thrilling safari experiences aren’t captivating enough, the city is a bustling metropolis of vibrant nightlife, deeply rooted in culture and flavorful delights stemming from the various cultures and traditions it is home to.

Flight schedule between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Nairobi (NBO):

*The FREE Seat promotion applies to BASE FARE only one way on Economy Seats for a limited time only based on a first come first serve basis. All-in fares start from RM471 inclusive of fuel surcharge, relevant taxes and fees. Other terms and conditions apply.