There was a repeat performance at this year’s Australian Aviation Awards. For the second year running, the Best International Airline gong went to a low-cost outfit in AirAsia X. It was far from the company’s only recognition, too. At the World Travel Awards, it also won World’s Leading Long-Haul Low-Cost Airline.
It’s about bang for buck. As I detailed in my AirAsia X review, this is an airline focused on getting you from A to B with minimum fuss and if you’re up for doing away with the luxuries, it’s a compelling experience. Especially for families in this ever tougher economy.
So, what’s next for AirAsia X in 2026? How will AirAsia X Australia change? I caught up with AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail to find out.
AirAsia X is increasing the number of flights coming out of Melbourne and Sydney; can you talk us through the numbers. Just how much more frequent will they be and what led to this decision?
Australia has always been a key market for AirAsia X (AAX). Our very first route to take flight was to Australia in 2007 and we’ve been committed to strengthening our footprint here ever since. AAX now flies to two major cities in the country, Sydney and Melbourne, and we’ll be significantly increasing our frequencies to and from both these cities in response to strong demand from Australian travellers and growing confidence in long-haul low-cost travel.
AAX now operates six flights weekly to both Sydney and Melbourne, with plans to increase to 14 weekly flights on these routes into 2026 to cater to peak season. This represents a substantial capacity uplift of more than 130% making it even easier and more affordable for Australians to connect to Southeast Asia and beyond.
The decision was driven by several factors. Firstly, we’ve seen a surge in travel demand post-pandemic, especially among leisure travellers, international students, as well as the “visiting friends and relatives” markets. In addition, we’re certain that our unique low-cost model continues to resonate strongly in Australia, where travellers are increasingly looking for value without compromising on comfort or safety.
If all goes well and demand continues to rise, we hope to be adding to these figures, further solidifying AAX as the top choice for Australians when it comes to affordable travel.
Is this a result of rising demand in general for Australians wishing to travel overseas, or a rising demand for low-cost airlines in particular?
It’s a combination of both. We’re seeing a strong resurgence in overall outbound travel from Australia as borders have remained open and consumer confidence continues to grow. Australians are eager to explore the world again, whether it’s for leisure, business, education or simply to reconnect with loved ones.
At the same time, there’s clearly rising demand for low-cost, high-value travel options. Travellers are more price-conscious than ever, and that’s where AirAsia X really stands out. Increasingly, wanderlust adventure seekers are realising they can get more bang for their buck, and making the most of their trips by exploring and experiencing more.
This ties up with our long-term mission and vision – to enable affordable travel without foregoing quality and experience.
Our ability to consistently offer competitive fares without compromising on safety or quality has made us an increasingly attractive option for long-haul travel, especially to key destinations in Asia. That, and the increasing demand to explore the Asean region inexpensively, is also a major contributor to this.
Thanks to our extensive network spanning over a hundred destinations in 22 countries and counting – we’ve been able to connect close to a billion guests worldwide since 2001. We’re proud to be helping more Australians travel further for less.
Last time we spoke, you pointed to an increased demand for flat beds from Australian travellers. Has that trend continued and where are you at with your planning to meet that demand?
Indeed, we’re seeing a continuation of this trend – and in fact, it’s grown stronger over the years. More Australian travellers are looking for affordable comfort on long-haul flights, and our affordable Premium Flatbed has become increasingly popular. Particularly among leisure travellers, small business owners and even students wanting that extra comfort without the premium price tag.
We’re actively responding to that demand. Our fleet of A330 aircraft that operate these two routes are equipped with a dedicated Premium Flatbed cabin that seats up to 30, and we’ve seen consistently strong uptake on routes from both Sydney and Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur. As part of our ongoing fleet and product planning, we’re continuing to enhance the overall flatbed experience and reviewing opportunities to expand availability where demand justifies it.
You had also spoken about a desire to see more airports join the AirAsia X route map; I recall Adelaide and Sunshine Coast being mentioned. Has there been any movement there? I know some of the AirAsia subsidiaries have been exploring new Australian airports.
While we’re very keen to expand our portfolio of routes to new Australian destinations, our core focus at the moment remains to strengthen and grow our existing presence in Sydney and Melbourne. That being said, conversations on AAX’s expansions are ongoing, and we’re always evaluating opportunities based on demand, airport readiness and operational feasibility.
It’s encouraging to see other airlines in the AirAsia Group exploring new routes in Australia as well. AirAsia Malaysia, a sister airline of AAX, recently inaugurated its very first flight to Darwin, whilst also operating 14 weekly flights to Perth.
Can you talk us through what the seamless connection initiative has brought to the AirAsia X experience and what the feedback has been like from travellers?
Our seamless connection initiative has been a game-changer for the overall AirAsia travel experience. Our wide network, particularly in Asean, is where several of our key hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Bali are primarily located, enabling AirAsia’s guests to seamlessly transit though to reach other destinations across Asia and beyond.
Through our Fly-Thru service, travellers can enjoy a single check-in for multiple legs of their journey, with baggage automatically transferred to their next destinations. This has significantly reduced the stress and time usually associated with transiting, especially when connecting between different airlines or terminals.
The feedback from travellers – particularly from Australia – has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve noticed that Penang, New Delhi, Phuket, Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City – just to name a few – remain a preferred choice of vacation for many of our Australian guests and they appreciate the convenience of these services. Especially families and solo travellers.
It’s helped us attract more connecting traffic and made long-haul low-cost travel even more accessible and appealing. Ultimately, this initiative aligns with our goal of offering a full-service experience at low-cost pricing, and we’re continuing to invest in technologies and partnerships that enhance that seamless journey for our guests.
Generally, Australia’s small population makes us of minor concern to large global companies: is Australia a significant economic region for AirAsia X?
Australia is, without a doubt, a significant and strategic market for AAX. The travel appetite of Australians, particularly for international travel, is among the highest in all the markets we serve. Historically, Australia has been one of our strongest performing markets outside of Asia in terms of passenger volume. In the last ten years, we’ve flown more than 10 million guests between Australia and Malaysia, with the majority being Australian travellers.
In almost two decades of operations in Australia, AirAsia X has built a strong and loyal customer base here, leveraging our accessibility, affordability and convenience. So, while Australia might be smaller in size, it punches well above its weight in terms of economic significance to our network.
We see a lot of growth potential here, and we’re committed to deepening our presence in the Australian market for the long term.
Tashkent is the next hotspot AirAsia X is exploring. Why was this selected as the next destination and why should Australian travellers consider Uzbekistan?
Tashkent was a highly anticipated route for AAX. It represents the kind of unique and emerging destination that aligns perfectly with AAX’s mission. To open up new parts of the world to more people, at a price point that’s accessible. We selected Tashkent as our next destination following the continued success of our Amaty, Kazakhstan route. That launched in early 2024.
For Australian travellers, Tashkent is an exciting gateway to Central Asia, offering a fresh alternative to more traditional holiday spots. We’ve seen growing interest from Australians in this region, particularly from millennial travellers, history buffs and those wanting a culturally-immersive adventure in a new city.
Central Asia is clearly a traveller-favourite region and Uzbekistan is rapidly gaining recognition as a rising star in global tourism. With its rich Silk Road heritage, stunning Islamic architecture and vibrant bazaars, we believe that it’s a destination that offers something truly different.
From a strategic standpoint, Tashkent also complements our existing network and strengthens our footprint in the broader Central Asian corridor. As we continue to expand our horizons across the globe, we hope to provide more affordable travel opportunities for Australians.
