Kuala Lumpur, August 10 - AirAsia, the Malaysia-based low-cost carrier under Capital A, has announced the discontinuation of its Kuala Lumpur to Ningbo service, effective in August 2025. This decision is part of a broader route rationalization strategy to align operations with market demand and enhance operational efficiency. The Kuala Lumpur-Ningbo route, which was launched with much fanfare on August 1, 2024, as part of AirAsia’s expansion into China, will cease operations just over a year after its inception, marking a significant shift in the airline’s regional priorities.
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The Kuala Lumpur-Ningbo service, operated by AirAsia Malaysia with flight code AK, initially offered three weekly flights on an Airbus A320, accommodating 180 passengers per flight. The route was introduced to capitalize on Ningbo’s status as a vital port city in Zhejiang province, known for its rich cultural heritage and appeal as a tourist destination. AirAsia positioned the service as part of its ambition to strengthen its foothold in China, where it claimed the title of the largest foreign airline by network size. The route complemented another new service from Kota Kinabalu to Ningbo, which began on August 2, 2024, and together, these routes marked AirAsia’s 17th destination in China. Promotional fares were offered to attract travelers, with one-way tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Ningbo starting at MYR 268 (USD 63.00), leveraging China’s visa-free policy for Malaysian tourists until the end of 2025.
However, the decision to suspend the Kuala Lumpur-Ningbo route comes as part of AirAsia’s broader network overhaul, which includes discontinuing eight international routes and reducing frequencies on four others. The final flights for the affected routes, including Kuala Lumpur-Ningbo, are scheduled between March 27 and May 5, 2025, though the Kuala Lumpur-Ningbo service will continue until August 2025. This adjustment reduces AirAsia’s international routes from Malaysia under the AK code from 83 to 75. The airline cited the need to review and align operations to ensure sustainability amid intensifying competition in Southeast Asia. Industry reports suggest that declining load factors and round-trip fares falling below operational costs during off-season periods contributed to the decision. Passengers seeking to travel between Kuala Lumpur and Ningbo after the suspension will need to rely on connecting flights, likely through other AirAsia hubs.
AirAsia’s route optimization strategy also involves consolidating operations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA T2) to accommodate growing passenger traffic, which increased by 16% year-on-year between Kuala Lumpur and key destinations like Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The airline is focusing on high-demand routes and plans to introduce over 30 new routes in 2025, including a new Kuala Lumpur-Darwin service starting June 27, 2025. By streamlining its network, reactivating 16 aircraft, and adding 14 new aircraft in 2025, AirAsia aims to balance growth with profitability while reinforcing its position as a leading low-cost carrier in the region. The discontinuation of the Kuala Lumpur-Ningbo route, while a setback for connectivity to Zhejiang province, reflects AirAsia’s pragmatic approach to navigating competitive and economic challenges in the aviation industry.