Darwin welcomes first ever direct AirAsia Malaysia flight from Kuala Lumpur
Photo caption: (Third from Left) Melanie Cobbin, Head of Operations of Airport Development Group; Siti Hadijah Arifin, Deputy Director of International Promotion (America/Europe/Oceania) of Tourism Malaysia; Hon. Robyn Cahill OAM MLA, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations; Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra CEO of AirAsia Malaysia and Allan Woo, Head of Aviation Development of Airport Development Group at the inauguration event in Darwin for AirAsia Malaysia maiden flight into Darwin, Australia.
DARWIN, 27 June 2025 - Darwin International Airport today celebrated the arrival of AirAsia Malaysia’s inaugural direct flight from Kuala Lumpur with a strong load of almost 90 percent, marking a significant milestone in the Territory’s international aviation landscape and delivering new travel and tourism opportunities across the region.
The launch of the service is the result of a strong collaboration between AirAsia Malaysia, Airport Development Group (ADG), and the Northern Territory Government through the Tourism Aviation Attraction Scheme (TAAS).
This partnership has made it possible to establish direct air access between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur, last operated by Malaysia Airlines in 2017–18, and positions the Top End as a key international gateway. The connection also establishes AirAsia Malaysia as the sole airline operating the Darwin-Kuala Lumpur route.
Four return services will operate weekly between the 2 capital cities, delivering close to 80,000 visitor seats annually through Darwin International Airport.
Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations, the Hon. Robyn Cahill OAM MLA joined AirAsia on its maiden flight to Darwin and commented: “The Territory’s aviation sector continues to go from strength to strength with this new route providing a boost to tourism, growing business and trade and connecting Territorians with a new international flight option.”
“We are thrilled to partner with AirAsia and the Airport Development Group to expand AirAsia Group’s network into the Northern Territory and provide greater choice, connectivity and competition for travellers.
“More flights will make it easier for people to visit and do business in the Territory. Having just returned from Kuala Lumpur, I can attest to the beauty of the destination. I encourage Territorians who are heading to Malaysia to take advantage of this fantastic service with direct and affordable flights into Kuala Lumpur 4 days a week.”
Rob Porter, Executive General Manager, Airports at Airport Development Group, said the collaboration was instrumental in delivering the new route: “This service is the result of strong cooperation between government, airline and airport, and represents a shared vision to better connect the Territory with the region and the world.
“AirAsia Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur–Darwin route brings real benefits for Territorians, opening up international access at affordable prices, supporting local jobs, and boosting inbound tourism that will flow through to hotels, tour operators, and the wider economy.”
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia said: “Darwin now becomes part of AirAsia Malaysia’s expanding network in Australia, further boosting the airline’s strong and growing presence in the region.
“Australia remains one of the Group’s key growth markets and we are thrilled to touch down today for the first time in the Northern Territory.
“We are confident this new service will be well received, not only offering the only direct and affordable connectivity between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur, but also as a gateway to our vast network of over 130 destinations across Asia and beyond at great value.”
AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) will operate four weekly flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Darwin route, offering more than 1,488 seats weekly with promotional one-way fares starting from AUD219* for flights from Darwin to Kuala Lumpur while fares from Kuala Lumpur to Darwin will be available at RM319* all-in one way. The promotional fares are available for immediate booking until 6 July 2025 for the travel period between now and 27 March 2026 on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.
*All-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only, including passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. T&C apply.