AirAsia X (AAX) has extended its services to Central Asia, introducing a new route from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty, Kazakhstan. AAX, a medium-haul budget airline, is the first Malaysian airline to offer direct flights to Almaty starting from 14th March 2024.
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AAX plans to operate four round trips per week between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The outbound flight (D7600) from Kuala Lumpur is scheduled to depart at 12:50 and arrive in Kazakhstan at 18:45 local time. The return flight to Kuala Lumpur departs at 20:05 and is scheduled to arrive the next day at 06:05. As a promotional offer, AAX is offering fares starting from RM99 for Economy seats from 24th to 30th November 2023 for travel between 14th March and 26th October 2024.
According to the terms and conditions, the promotional fares are for one-way travel (for flights departing from Kuala Lumpur only) and include airport taxes, MAVCOM fees, fuel surcharge, and other applicable taxes and fees. Promotional seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting from 24th November 2023 at 1pm. Upon checking online, there were still flights from KUL to ALA priced from RM499 one-way. The online booking platform also noted that the flight is subject to government approval. During the launch event, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, His Excellency Bulat Sugurbayev, stated: “The entry of AAX into Kazakhstan marks a significant milestone in our nations’ relations. This strategic initiative not only strengthens the cultural and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Malaysia but also provides affordable options for travelers in the region to explore the captivating beauty of Almaty and the whole of Kazakhstan – the world’s 9th largest country with digital competitiveness outpacing several European, Asian, and American nations. The direct connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty is poised to elevate tourism and trade, enhancing the bonds between our two nations.
We welcome this great milestone and look forward to the positive impact it will bring to both countries.” AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said “This is an entirely new market for AAX and a strategic route to expand into, bringing other parts of the world closer to Southeast Asia. As our first foray into Central Asia, the expansion into the Kazakh market is a strong testament to our vision and determination to explore new territories as well as resume services to our most popular destinations post-pandemic. The move to introduce direct flights to Almaty is expected to foster significant trade, commerce, and education interchange, considering Kazakhstan’s status as the wealthiest country in Central Asia. “As AirAsia X celebrates 16 years of connecting people this month, we remain committed to providing unmatched connectivity with the best value fares to everyone’s old and new favorite destinations. With this new route, we aim to not only enhance travel opportunities between two great and populous destinations but also to bolster the existing bonds between Kazakhstan and Malaysia in addition to enriching socio-economic sectors in both nations.”