AirAsia Launches Kuala Lumpur-Jaipur Route
AirAsia Announces New Route Between Malaysia and India
In a significant move expanding its international network, AirAsia has unveiled its first new route of 2024, connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) in Malaysia with Jaipur Airport (JAI) in India. This development marks a return to a path last navigated by AirAsia X before the pandemic's onset in early 2020. The service, commencing on April 21, 2024, and slated to continue until March 19, 2025, will operate four times a week.
The Significance of the New AirAsia Route
The introduction of this route signifies AirAsia's Malaysian subsidiary's inaugural venture on the KUL-JAI corridor. Previously, AirAsia X, the long-haul low-cost division of AirAsia, had served this route. To celebrate this launch, AirAsia has introduced promotional fares available until January 23. These include one-way tickets from JAI to KUL starting at INR 7,999 ($96.23) and return flights beginning at RM 209 ($45).
A Strong Year for AirAsia in India
Bo Lingam, CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, highlighted the importance of 2023 for the airline in India. Notably, it was a year marked by the launch of a new route to Thiruvananthapuram and the celebration of visa-free travel for Indian nationals to Malaysia. He expressed enthusiasm about the new connection between Kuala Lumpur and Jaipur, emphasizing India's status as a key market for AirAsia.
Flight Details and Historical Context
The flights, covering a distance of 2,072 nautical miles, will depart every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with an estimated flight duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes. Historically, AirAsia X operated the JAI-KUL route from February 2018 to March 2020, averaging 15.3 flights per month.
Restructuring of AirAsia
The year 2024 has also seen significant corporate restructuring within AirAsia. Following its exit from Practice Note 17 in Malaysia, AirAsia X announced plans to acquire AirAsia and AirAsia Aviation Group from Capital A. This move aims to position AirAsia X as a leading regional aviation provider for all short and medium-haul routes under the AirAsia brand.
