Latest News
HomeAviationAirAsia X expands China network with flights to Beijing
Airlines

AirAsia X expands China network with flights to Beijing

The service resumption is expected to stimulate business travel and tourism in both directions, with the potential surge in demand for international travel to China following its recent decision to begin reissuing tourist visas.

SEPANG – Following the recent recommencement of services to Shanghai and Hangzhou earlier this month, AirAsia X (AAX) continues to expand its China network with two weekly flights to Beijing, which resumed yesterday, on 30 March 2023.

The much-anticipated inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur landed at Beijing Daxing International Airport at 1:05am, while the return flight from Beijing arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) at 8:30am this morning.

The service resumption is expected to stimulate business travel and tourism in both directions, with the potential surge in demand for international travel to China following its recent decision to begin reissuing tourist visas.

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO, Benyamin Ismail said: “Our service resumption to Beijing reflects our commitment to boosting our network in China, which has historically always been one of our biggest and most popular markets and providing our guests with more options to travel affordably from/to Kuala Lumpur.

“We are also looking at ramping up the frequency to four weekly flights starting 1st June 2023 to meet growing forecast demand, further boosting exchanges between the world’s second largest economy and Asean, and the region’s tourism recovery.

“More expansion in China is on the horizon for AAX as we plan to relaunch more routes and introduce more unique, less travelled destinations in China in the near future.”

Guests are advised to check the travel requirements of the country in which they travel.

Flight Schedule between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Beijing-Daxing (PKX):

AirAsia X returns to the Gold Coast as the only carrier flying directly between Malaysia and Queensland

Also, the airline launched the long awaited resumption of services to its first-ever route to Gold Coast, Australia, after a hiatus of more than two years due to the pandemic.

The inaugural flight departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) at 11.25pm local time and landed at Gold Coast International Airport at 9.25am local time. 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, AAX 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.

A press conference was held at Gold Coast Airport to celebrate the momentous event which was attended by Stirling Hinchliffe, Queensland Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport; Amelia Evans, Queensland Airports Limited CEO; Karen Bolinger, Destination Gold Coast Interim CEO; Dato’ Fam Lee Ee, AirAsia X Board of Director; and Benyamin Ismail, AirAsia X CEO amongst other key airport and tourism stakeholders.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said AirAsia X was predicted to generate AUD45.6 million for the Gold Coast’s visitor economy. “These direct services from Kuala Lumpur have been secured by the Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million aviation war chest in partnership with Gold Coast Airport. 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. AirAsia X is a terrific investment in the Gold Coast’s visitor economy and the 450 good Queensland jobs these services will support.” “It’s terrific to welcome Malaysian visitors back to Queensland to share our great lifestyle and enjoy the Gold Coast’s world-class holiday experiences,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said today is an incredibly important day for AAX as it returns to the Gold Coast – its first ever route which was launched in November 2007. “The Gold Coast will always hold a special place in our hearts and what makes this announcement even more of a major milestone is that AAX is now the only airline connecting Kuala Lumpur directly to the Gold Coast and to Queensland on the whole.

“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,” Mr Benyamin Ismail said.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the return of AirAsia X to the Gold Coast would provide three return flights between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast each week, bringing 58,000 additional seats into the region each year. “Since the first AirAsia X flight took off from Kuala Lumpur to the Gold Coast in 2007 more than two million travellers have flown between the two cities. The return of this service re-establishes an important connection between two major tourism and economic hubs at a competitive price for international travel, and an important partnership with AirAsia X for the future.” “We’re also excited to have been able to welcome AirAsia X back to our new International Terminal, providing visitors with an elevated experience from the moment they touch down into the Gold Coast and the region,” Ms Evans said.

Flight schedule between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Gold Coast (OOL):

Co-Founder & Managing Director - Travel Media Applications | + Articles

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

29/03/2024
28/03/2024
27/03/2024
26/03/2024
25/03/2024
22/03/2024