AirAsia Malaysia expands its presence in Australia with new route connecting Kuala Lumpur directly to Darwin.
The introduction of AirAsia Malaysia to the Northern Territory aviation market will see almost 100,000 seats annually between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur.
Flights commence on 27 June and will see four weekly return services on AirAsia’s Airbus A321 aircraft on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
New international services between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur, and Darwin and Denpasar, will see AirAsia Group operate seven weekly flights from the Top End capital.
AirAsia’s Growing Australian Footprint
AirAsia Malaysia has been steadily expanding its presence in the Australian market. Since March 2024, the airline has successfully operated flights between Kuala Lumpur and Perth. This complements the services offered by its sister airline, AirAsia X, due to high demand.
The AirAsia Group, encompassing Malaysia and Indonesia, already serves Perth and Cairns, while AirAsia X connects travelers to Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth.
With the addition of Darwin, first from Bali on March 22nd and then from Kuala Lumpur in June, AirAsia will serve five Australian cities, further solidifying its presence in the region.
Over the past year, the airline has transported over 600,000 passengers between Malaysia and Australia, demonstrating the strong demand for travel between the two countries.
The new Kuala Lumpur-Darwin route further emphasizes AirAsia’s commitment to boosting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Malaysia and Australia. This milestone marks a significant step in the airline’s international expansion, fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
A Warm Welcome from Local Leaders
Robyn Cahill OAM, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations, expressed enthusiasm for the new route. “We welcome this important milestone for AirAsia to reconnect Darwin with the global capital city of Kuala Lumpur.”
“This will not only improve air accessibility and affordability for Territorians, but will make it easier to invest, visit and do business in the Territory.”
She further emphasized AirAsia’s reputation as a world-leading low-cost airline, highlighting that “their decision to invest in Darwin reinforces our bright economic future.”
Air connectivity is a priority for the Territory, so we will now be focused on working with all airline partners to ensure all flights see strong commercial outcomes.”
AirAsia CEO Comments
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, shared his excitement about the launch. “We are thrilled to launch our very first flight to Darwin, creating greater opportunities for both leisure and business travelers to explore one of Australia’s most vibrant and unique destinations.”
He highlighted the growing popularity of adventure travel and positioned Darwin as a “hidden gem” for travelers across Southeast Asia. “With our seamless Fly-Thru services via Kuala Lumpur, Darwin is now more accessible than ever for travelers from key markets within our network, including Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Cambodia, South Korea, and beyond.”
“We look forward to expanding our presence and bringing our world-class services to this beautiful part of Australia,” he added.
A Win for the Northern Territory
Rob Porter, Executive General Manager, Airports for Airport Development Group, welcomed AirAsia Malaysia and hailed the new service as a “significant win for the Territory.” He acknowledged the community’s long-standing demand for affordable travel options to key destinations like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India.
“Beyond offering greater choice for Territorians, this new link will also strengthen inbound tourism, supporting local businesses and cementing Darwin’s position as a key international gateway. We look forward to working closely with AirAsia to grow this service and explore future opportunities for expansion,” Porter said.
Suzana Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Tourism & Hospitality, Northern Territory Government, echoed the excitement, stating, “We are excited to embrace AirAsia Malaysia as part of Darwin’s growing aviation network, creating more opportunities for international travelers to explore the Top End of Australia.”
She emphasized the unique opportunities Darwin offers, including “iconic landscapes, deep cultural heritage and local experiences.”
“From breathtaking national parks and thrilling wildlife encounters to dark sky stargazing, this new connection unlocks a diverse range of unforgettable experiences for our emerging Asian markets and beyond.”
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