AirAsia Planning to Add Six New Indian Cities to Flight Network

In a significant move to broaden its horizon, Malaysia’s leading low-cost carrier, AirAsia, has announced plans to incorporate six more Indian cities into its extensive network by the end of this year.

This expansion is particularly focused on enhancing connectivity to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, marking a new chapter in the airline’s commitment to bridging distances and fostering cultural exchanges between India and Southeast Asia.

New Destinations on the Horizon

The airline currently connects 14 Indian cities to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. As per Mr Kesavan Sivanandam, Chief Airports Officer at AirAsia, three new destinations are confirmed in the coming months:

• Jaipur: Commencing operations on April 21, 2024.
• Visakhapatnam: Launching flights on April 26, 2024.
• Ahmedabad: Starting services on May 1, 2024.

Following these launches, AirAsia plans to add Patna, Aurangabad, and Calicut to its network, exhausting its current bilateral rights.

Also Read: Air Asia to Launch Direct Flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Kuala Lumpur

Fleet Expansion and Strategic Divestment

Focus on Emerging Cities: AirAsia targets Tier 2 and 3 cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ranchi, tapping into India’s potential.

Overcoming Challenges: Despite limited MRO slots, the airline is committed to addressing these to cater to rising air travel demand.

Market Significance: Kesavan Sivanandam emphasizes India’s key role, contributing 18% to AirAsia’s revenue and holding a 51% market share between India and Malaysia.

Strong Commitment to the Indian Market

Despite the MRO challenges, AirAsia underlines its commitment to the Indian market. The airline currently holds a 51% market share between India and Malaysia, and India contributes a significant 18% to its total revenue.

To support its expansion plans, AirAsia is adding 25 new aircraft to its existing fleet of 200, bringing it back to its pre-pandemic strength. Additionally, the airline has placed orders for a massive 650 new aircraft, showcasing its long-term vision for growth.

Boosting Tourism Between India and Malaysia

The number of Indian tourists visiting Malaysia has gone up. In the first 11 months of 2023, 5.87 lakh Indians visited Malaysia, more than the 4.62 lakh who visited in the same time in 2022.

Malaysia has made it easier for Indians to visit by not requiring a visa until the end of the year. Because of this, Malaysia hopes to see even more Indian tourists, between 7 to 9 lakh, in 2024. This effort is to make the friendship and business between India and Malaysia even stronger.

Conclusion

AirAsia’s big plan to add more flights is going to change the way many Indians travel. Now, they’ll have more choices to see Southeast Asia’s colourful cultures, beautiful places, and exciting cities. With AirAsia adding more routes, flying between India and Malaysia is going to get easier and better, helping both countries grow together.