LONDON – AirAsia X (AAX) are continuing their expansion in Australia and have now announced the restart of their services to the Gold Coast Airport (OOL), commencing on February 15, 2023.
The new route to Gold Coast becomes the fourth new route in the Australia network for AirAsia X so far, with Sydney, Perth and Melbourne having returned between April and November of this year.
Back to the roots
With the return of AirAsia X’s services to the Gold Coast Airport in Australia, they are not only relaunching a new route, but also relaunching their first ever route.
With Sydney, Melbourne and Perth also being back in service with the airline, AirAsia X shows off a great return and increase in their Australian route network, though with the upcoming inauguration of the Gold Coast services hitting a bit closer to home.
In order to celebrate the return of the route in just a few months time, AirAsia X will offer great value fares, of which went on sale at 8.00a.m. Malaysian time, at the time of writing.
The value fares offered go between Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport (KUL) and the already mentioned Gold Coast Int’l Airport (OOL), for under AUD299 for Economy Class, and under AUD1,999 for Premium Economy, one way.
AirAsia X Statement
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail, stated the following on the big announcement:
“There has been overwhelming demand for the airline’s return to the ‘Gem of Queensland’ as the Gold Coast is a key leisure destination in its own right and gateway to Australia offering strong domestic connections to Queensland and beyond.”
“We are thrilled to be coming back to the stunning Gold Coast as the first and only low cost carrier flying direct! As our first ever route which launched in November 2007, this is an incredibly special announcement for AirAsia X,” he added.
“Fifteen years ago the Gold Coast was the catalyst for the birth of AirAsia X and our Australia expansion, which quickly became one of our most popular core markets.”
“Through Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia X will connect visitors to more than 130 destinations across Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, India, South Korea and many more.”
Gold Coast officials statements
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans commented, saying:-
“The team is excited to see the return of AirAsia X which has a long-standing history with Gold Coast Airport since its maiden flight into the region in November 2007.”
“Since they last landed at Gold Coast Airport, we’ve opened our brand-new International Terminal and we look forward to welcoming the AirAsia X team and passengers back, this time through our impressive new building.”
“Since its maiden flight, more than two million passengers have flown with AirAsia X between the Gold Coast and Kuala Lumpur, a connection that in 2019 was worth more than AUD200 million to the local and state economy.”
Also commenting on the announcement, was Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, who said:
“AirAsia X services from Kuala Lumpur had been secured by the Queensland Government’s AUD200 million aviation attraction war chest, in partnership with Queensland’s four international airports.”
“The return of the airline to Gold Coast Airport’s arrivals board is a terrific investment in Gold Coast tourism and jobs.”
“International aviation is highly competitive but absolutely critical to rebuilding Queensland’s post-Covid overseas visitor economy and that’s why we’re backing AirAsia X on the Gold Coast.”
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Malaysian visitors back to enjoy Queensland’s great lifestyle in Australia’s favourite destination and AirAsia X increasing its inbound flight schedule to five a week by late 2023.”
“AirAsia X from Kuala Lumpur is predicted to land almost 59,000 seats on the Gold Coast every year, generating AUD45.6 million for the visitor economy, and supporting 450 good Queensland jobs.”
Overall
It remains clear that the Malaysian low-cost airline is ready to relive the start, with the route to Gold Coast being their first and inaugurated in 2007.
It appears the airline has also been received with open arms on their return-announcement, something that is likely to be shown even more when the route re-inaugurates on February 13, next year.
