AirAsia X Makes Bahrain Its First European Hub
ashen@newsofbahrain.com
AirAsia X (AAX) Berhad has marked a major milestone in its global expansion strategy with the launch of two international routes connecting Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and onward to London Gatwick (KUL–BAH–LGW). The announcement was made at a press conference in Bahrain today.
The Bahrain–London route will serve as AAX’s second Fifth-Freedom service, marking the airline’s expansion beyond Asia into the global budget travel market. Operations are set to begin on 26 June 2026, establishing Bahrain as AAX’s first strategic hub outside its home region. This move strengthens Bahrain’s role as a key gateway between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, leveraging the kingdom’s strategic location and modern aviation infrastructure.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor to AAX, said: "This is a landmark step in AirAsia X’s growth journey. Bahrain as our strategic hub allows us to connect Asia with the Middle East and Europe more efficiently, creating a scalable platform for future expansion. Beyond passenger flights, this partnership will support Capital A businesses, including cargo and MRO services, in scaling alongside AAX. Today, Teleport marks its first flight into Bahrain following its recent USD 50 million capital raise, reinforcing the Kingdom as a regional aviation and logistics hub. We will continue building partnerships with airports, tourism authorities, and industry stakeholders to unlock new travel corridors, delivering affordable long-haul travel while ensuring operational resilience."
H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, added:
"This agreement with AirAsia X underscores Bahrain’s strength as an economic partner and its role as a regional and global connectivity hub. The investment will create direct jobs in aviation and wider opportunities across tourism, logistics, hospitality, and related sectors. It will also support skills development and career growth for Bahrainis in a growing global industry. We are proud to welcome AirAsia X to Team Bahrain."
The new route builds on AAX’s network of over 150 destinations worldwide. Kuala Lumpur remains the airline’s main gateway, connecting travelers to 95 destinations across 23 Asian countries with nearly 2,000 weekly flights, including routes to Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Japan. The KUL–BAH–LGW service, operated with AAX’s A330 fleet, opens new, affordable travel options for passengers from Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other key markets, providing convenient connections to Bahrain and London.
To celebrate the launch, AirAsia X is offering promotional fares from BHD 39* one-way from Bahrain to Kuala Lumpur and London, with standard fares starting from BHD 50* and BHD 41* respectively. Premium Flatbed fares start from BHD 199* and BHD 159* one-way for a more comfortable journey. Bookings are open until 22 February 2026 for travel between 26 June and 30 November 2026 via airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.
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