AirAsia X resumes flights to Gold Coast after two years

AirAsia X (AAX), Asia’s leading medium-haul low-cost airline, has launched the long-awaited resumption of services to its first-ever route to Gold Coast, Australia, after a hiatus of more than two years due to the pandemic.

The inaugural flight departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) and landed at Gold Coast International Airport. The relaunch of this service makes AAX the leading low-cost airline connecting Australia to Asia’s key destinations and the only carrier flying direct between Malaysia and the state of Queensland.

To celebrate the newly resumed services to the coastal city, all guests on the inaugural flight were treated to a special send-off ceremony before boarding and a welcoming event on arrival. The Gold Coast is the airline’s fourth destination in Australia.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said that AirAsia X was predicted to generate AUD 45.6 million for the Gold Coast’s visitor economy.

“We’re backing AirAsia X because of the airline’s commitment to increasing its Gold Coast flight schedule to five days a week by the end of the year. AirAsia X is a terrific investment in the Gold Coast’s visitor economy and the 450 good Queensland jobs these services will support,” Hinchliffe said.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said that the resumption of this route would not only attract a significant number of visitors from Malaysia and other Asian countries but also strengthen the ties between Malaysia and Australia.

“We look forward to working closely with all of our key airport and tourism stakeholders, especially Queensland Airports and Destination Gold Coast, to make the Gold Coast a preferred tourism destination of choice for the many millions of leisure seekers across Asia,” Ismail said.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said that the return of AirAsia X to the Gold Coast would provide three return flights between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast each week, bringing 58,000 additional seats into the region each year.

To celebrate the return to one of its most popular destinations, AAX offers great value all-in* fares between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast from RM699 all-in* one-way for economy or RM2,999 one-way for a Premium Flatbed. AAX will be painting Gold Coast red with exciting consumer activation at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on Sunday, 2nd April 2023, from 11 am to 3 pm.

In a press conference held at Gold Coast Airport, Stirling Hinchliffe, Queensland Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport; Amelia Evans, Queensland Airports Limited CEO; Karen Bolinger, Destination Gold Coast Interim CEO; Dato’ Fam Lee Ee, AirAsia X Board of Director; and Benyamin Ismail, AirAsia X CEO among other key airport and tourism stakeholders, celebrated the momentous event.

Overall, AirAsia X’s resumption of services to Gold Coast, Australia, will not only boost the tourism and economic industries in the state of Queensland but also create more job opportunities.

*All-in fares inclusive of airport taxes, fuel surcharges and any other applicable charges. Terms and conditions apply. Booking period from now until 10 April 2023 for travel period between now and 14 December 2023.