AirAsia X took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport for Australia’s Gold Coast on April 1, after freezing the service for more than two years due to the pandemic.
Three return flights will be offered each week.
In celebration of the newly resumed services to the coastal city, all guests on the inaugural flight were treated to a special send off ceremony before boarding, and a welcoming event on arrival.
The Gold Coast is the airline’s fourth destination in Australia. With the relaunch of this service, AirAsia X is set to strengthen its position as the leading low-cost airline connecting Australia to Asia’s key destinations and the only carrier flying direct between Malaysia and the state of Queensland.
Stirling Hinchliffe, Queensland minister for tourism, innovation and sport, said at a press conference that AirAsia X was predicted to generate A$45.6 million (US$30.4 million) for the Gold Coast’s visitor economy as well as create 450 Queensland jobs.
“We’re backing AirAsia X because of the airline’s commitment to increasing its Gold Coast flight schedule to five days a week by the end of the year,” Hinchliffe added.
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail noted that the Gold Coast “will always hold a special place in our hearts”, as the Kuala Lumpur-Gold Coast route was the first operation for AirAsia X, launched in November 2007.
Benyamin said: “Our newest route now provides the most affordable and convenient air travel option for guests who want to explore one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations and for Australians seeking to visit Malaysia or continue on throughout Asia with our vast global network including to leisure favourites like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, India and more.
“The resumption of this route today will not only attract a significant number of visitors from Malaysia and other Asian countries but also strengthen the ties between Malaysia and Australia. We look forward to working closely with all of our key airport and tourism stakeholders, especially Queensland Airports and Destination Gold Coast to make the Gold Coast a preferred tourism destination of choice for the many millions of leisure seekers across Asia.”
