AirAsia X inaugurates its first flight to Nairobi from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Nairobi – Saturday, 16th November 2024: Kenya’s efforts to attract tourists from Malaysia and the larger Asian market have received a great boost after low-cost carrier AirAsia X (AAX) historic inaugural flight to Kenya touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on 15th November 2024.

Flight D7 101 from Kuala Lumpur was received with a warm welcome by the Cabinet Secretary - Tourism & Wildlife, Hon Rebecca Miano alongside officials from Kenya Tourism Board and Kenya Airport Authority. The flight had over 270 travellers signifying a significant milestone in Kenya’s quest to diversify its tourist source markets. This new route is aimed to foster greater cultural exchange and boost tourism whilst providing an important link for business and trade between Southeast Asia and East Africa.

AirAsia X as the first low-cost carrier from Southeast Asia to establish a direct air link from the Kenyan Capital demonstrates the airline’s unwavering commitment to expanding its connectivity. It also supports the airline’s vision to be the leading industry player in connecting underserved destinations with great value fares across the globe.

While receiving the flight, Hon. Rebecca Miano said that the direct air link is an affirmation of Kenya's growing significance in the global tourism and travel landscape.

"Kenya is now firmly established as a regional hub and a widely recognized leader in air transport across the continent. We are delighted to have AirAsia X consider Kenya as a partner for its expansion into the African continent. As a country that prides itself on warm hospitality, Kenya looks forward to welcoming more visitors through this connection and harnessing new opportunities for trade, investment and tourism cooperation between our two nations," Miano said.

AirAsia X CEO, Benyamin Ismail said: “AirAsia X has come a long way since our journey began nearly 17 years ago. Celebrating our direct flights from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur with over 70% load factor showcases our dedication to our mission of providing affordable connectivity across the globe and inspiring travellers to fulfil their wanderlust by exploring some of the world’s most stunning destinations. Connecting travellers from Africa to Southeast Asia has always been a dream of ours, and AirAsia X has been on a steady pursuit to enable more accessible and affordable worldwide air connectivity.

“Soon, AAX will embark into a new era for the airline group upon the acquisition of Capital A’s airline businesses, with more exciting endeavours ahead. As we continue to expand our network across the seas and cement our presence in Africa, we are excited about the future. We are confident that our entry into Nairobi will serve to not only stimulate air travel but also enhance tourism between both countries and foster closer ties regionally. Asean countries are on the bucket list of many travellers and adventure seekers, and we welcome our guests from Africa to explore the beautiful region via Kuala Lumpur, thanks to our seamless Fly-Thru options which provide a gateway to the larger Asian region.”

On her part, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO June Chepkemei highlighted the flight's strategic timing, ahead of the peak festive season. She noted that the Asia Pacific region delivered over 320,000 visitors to Kenya in 2023, with Malaysia being one of the fastest growing source markets.

"AirAsia X's entry into Kenya has been a long-awaited development that we have eagerly anticipated. The fact that they have chosen Nairobi as their first destination in Africa, speaks of Kenya's potential not just as a safari destination, but also a business and investment hub,” Chepkemei said.

“Recently, KTB and AirAsia signed a collaborative agreement on enhancing connectivity between Asia and Africa to drive tourism in both regions. This direct flight is the first step in that journey and takes us closer to realising the full potential of this partnership. We look forward to welcoming travellers on this route to experience Kenya's diverse and authentic attractions,” she added.

Today, Kuala Lumpur will also welcome the inaugural flight from Nairobi by AirAsia X, further positioning Malaysia as a must-visit destination for Kenyan travellers.

Director-General of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy welcomed the new route, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome this highly anticipated flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur, marking a new chapter in the growing ties between Malaysia and Kenya. This direct connection not only strengthens the bond between our two nations but also opens up exciting opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange. We hope this is not just in Kuala Lumpur but across the other stunning destinations dotted across the country. Malaysia is proud to be a part of this journey, and we look forward to sharing the warmth while welcoming more visitors from Africa as we continue to showcase the best of Malaysian hospitality and our diverse cultural heritage.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s vibrant capital, is a dynamic city where modernity meets tradition, known for its iconic skylines, an array of local cuisines and cultural experiences. Its international airport, KLIA, was recently ranked as the second most connected airport in the world after London Heathrow by the 2024 OAG Megahubs Index. AAX and other AirAsia Group airlines operate 43% of all flights at KLIA and account for 74% of the airport’s total low-cost carrier (LCC) capacity.

The airline will operate four weekly flights offering more than 156,000 seats annually with fares starting from KES 25,685 (USD 199) all-in* one-way. The promotional fares are available for booking starting 1st December until 14 December 2024 for the travel period between now and 30 June 2025 on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.

Apart from facilitating travel, the Kuala Lumpur-Nairobi connection will also enable AirAsia X to offer convenient fly-thru options to over 130 destinations in Asia Pacific and Australia. This expanded network will drive traffic and trade between Southeast Asia and East Africa.