AirAsia X to launch Kuala Lumpur–London service via Bahrain

Malaysian budget airline AirAsia X has revealed plans to resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London Gatwick, introducing Bahrain as a new stopover point on its daily service – a move that will establish the Gulf state as the airline’s first global hub outside Asia. The new route is scheduled to take off in June 2026, strengthening low-cost connectivity between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

 

The daily service will depart Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 22:00, with a short transit in Bahrain International Airport (BAH) of around 1 hour 30 minutes before continuing onward to London Gatwick (LGW). Return flights will leave London Gatwick at 10:25, again transiting in Bahrain, before arriving back in Kuala Lumpur.

 

Passengers will be able to book itineraries either to Bahrain or through to London on the same daily rotation, using Bahrain as a convenient one-stop gateway. The Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain sector is scheduled to arrive in the kingdom at 00:40 the following day, while the Bahrain–Kuala Lumpur leg will depart at 20:55 and touch down in the Malaysian capital at 09:55.

 

As the first Asian low-cost carrier to establish a hub in the Gulf, AirAsia X aims to grow its operations in Bahrain to more than 25 daily flights by 2030, connecting key markets including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, with future plans to expand toward Europe and North America.

 

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Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor to AirAsia X, said: “Bahrain as our strategic aviation hub allows us to connect Asia with the Middle East and Europe more effectively while creating a scalable platform for future growth.”

 

H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, added: “This agreement with AirAsia X reflects Bahrain’s strength as an economic partner and its role as a centre for regional and global connectivity. It will reinforce Bahrain’s position as a key gateway linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, while delivering significant economic benefits.”

 

The development is part of Capital A’s multi-year expansion strategy, underpinned by a partnership with Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. The agreement spans route development, aviation operations, cargo, maintenance and talent training initiatives.

 

AirAsia X is also exploring the establishment of a Bahrain-based air operator certificate (AOC) to support further growth across the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. By the end of the decade, the airline expects to serve over 20 million passengers annually via Bahrain, contributing around BHD 3 billion (US$8 billion) to the local economy.

 

For more information, visit airasia.com