Summary: AirAsia X will launch a Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London service in June, creating a Bahrain hub to connect Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe and resume London long-haul links.

AirAsia X, the long-haul arm of Malaysia’s AirAsia group, has announced a new route that will link Kuala Lumpur with Bahrain and London beginning in June. The service aims to establish Bahrain as a strategic Middle East hub for the carrier, expanding options for passengers travelling between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Route details and London connections

The new service will operate directly from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and onward to London, with the London leg serving Gatwick Airport. The route will integrate with AirAsia X’s Airbus A330 operations and restore the airline’s direct links to London after a long pause in services.

  • Launch month: June (service opening planned)
  • Key gateway: Bahrain hub to connect Middle East and Europe with Southeast Asia
  • London airport: Gatwick (restoring direct long-haul links)
  • Aircraft: Integration with Airbus A330 operations

Bahrain positioned as a new Middle East hub

AirAsia X intends to use Bahrain as a regional hub to broaden its reach across the Middle East. The airline expects the new hub to enable more low-cost long-haul links and greater flexibility for both leisure and business travellers connecting across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The move underlines AirAsia X’s strategy to grow its long-haul network and to provide additional connection opportunities through Bahrain for passengers travelling between Southeast Asia and Europe.

Fleet development and financial measures

To support network expansion, AirAsia X is reshaping its capacity and finances. The carrier has flagged plans to restructure approximately $600 million in debt, a step it considers essential to fund growth and sustain operations as it adds new long-haul services.

AirAsia’s parent group, Capital A, has completed the acquisition of short-haul operations and consolidated its airlines under a single brand, a reorganisation intended to streamline services and improve network coordination across short- and long-haul divisions.

The group is also negotiating with Airbus for up to 150 new aircraft, including A220 jets. Those additions would allow the combined business to open more routes and bolster network flexibility, complementing AirAsia X’s A330 long-haul fleet.

AirAsia X aircraft at an airport, representing the new Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London route
AirAsia X plans to use Bahrain as a hub to link its Kuala Lumpur services with London.

Recent network moves and context

AirAsia X has been rebuilding its long-haul network in recent months. In November the carrier launched flights between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul, marking an expansion into Europe that prefaces the new Bahrain–London link. The airline previously suspended routes to London Gatwick and Stansted for more than a decade following the retirement of its A340 fleet; the new services signal a return to those key markets using current-generation aircraft.

What this means for travellers and the industry

For passengers, the new Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London service promises additional connectivity options between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, potentially at lower fares if AirAsia X maintains its low-cost long-haul model. The Bahrain hub could simplify itineraries for travellers seeking one-stop connections across these regions.

From an industry perspective, the move represents AirAsia X’s push to re-establish itself as a notable low-cost long-haul operator, pairing fleet renewal and financial restructuring with strategic hub development to access new markets.

Why this matters: The launch demonstrates AirAsia X’s broader strategy of post‑pandemic network recovery and growth. Travelers should see more route choices and potential price competition on Asia–Europe and Asia–Middle East corridors; airlines and airports will be watching how the Bahrain hub affects regional connectivity and traffic flows.