Overview
- The carrier plans daily Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Gatwick flights from June 26, 2026, marking a return to the UK market after more than a decade.
- Operations will be flown by AirAsia X’s A330 fleet with a refuelling stop in Manama, aligning range and cost for the long‑haul low‑cost model.
- Bahrain has been named the airline’s first hub outside Asia, with leaders outlining plans to build a Bahrain-based platform that could grow to about 100 aircraft over eight years.
- Latest reporting indicates the Bahrain–Gatwick sector is expected to carry fifth‑freedom rights, addressing earlier uncertainty over local ticket sales on the intermediate leg.
- The move follows AirAsia X’s acquisition of the group’s short‑haul airlines, as executives also signal a fleet pivot by cancelling remaining A330neo orders and prioritising long‑range narrowbodies, including A321XLRs and a potential order for around 100 regional jets.