AirAsia X

AirAsia X

An AirAsia X Airbus A330
IATA ICAO Call sign D7 XAX XANADU
Founded	17 May 2007 (2007-05-17) (as FlyAsianXpress)
Commenced operations	2 November 2007 (2007-11-02)
Operating bases	Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Frequent-flyer program	BIG Loyalty Programme[1]
Subsidiaries	Thai AirAsia X
Fleet size	18
Destinations	22
Parent company	AirAsia
Traded as	MYX: 5238
ISIN	MYL5238OO000
Headquarters	Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
Key people	Dato Fam Lee Ee (Chairman) Benyamin Ismail (CEO)
Revenue	MYR 3.25 billion (FY 2024)[2]
Net income	MYR 183.58 million (FY 2024)[2]
Employees	1,339 (31 December 2023)[3]
Website	www.airasiax.com

AirAsia X Berhad, operating as AirAsia X (formerly FlyAsianXpress Sdn. Bhd.), is a Malaysian long-haul, low-cost airline and a subsidiary of the AirAsia Group. The airline was initially established in 2006 as FlyAsian Express (FAX) and began by operating regional routes under Malaysia’s Rural Air Service. After encountering operational challenges, FAX transitioned to a long-haul, low-cost carrier model and rebranded as AirAsia X in 2007. It launched its first international flight in November 2007, connecting Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast, Australia.

AirAsia X expanded its network over the following years, establishing routes to various destinations across Australia, Europe and Asia. In 2013, AirAsia X went public with an initial public offering (IPO) on the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a suspension of operations and the airline underwent a debt restructuring process.

By 2022, AirAsia X was gaining stability and experienced growth in 2023, expanding flights to Nairobi and Almaty.

In 2024, AirAsia X and AirAsia announced plans to merge under a single unified brand known as AirAsia Group.

In 2006, FlyAsianExpress (FAX), was a regional airline established as a subsidiary of AirAsia. The airline was tasked with operating Malaysia's Rural Air Service routes (RAS), with destinations mainly in Malaysian Borneo.^[4]

FAX encountered operational difficulties, such as low passenger demand on certain routes, maintenance issues and occasional flight cancellations.^[4]

On April 11, 2007, Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, proposed transferring RAS operations to Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines with greater expertise in turboprop services. After receiving government approval, the transfer was completed on April 26, 2007, ending FAX's involvement in the RAS network. The RAS flights in Malaysian Borneo were subsequently managed by a newly created airline, MASwings, owned by Malaysia Airlines.^[5]

The airline shifted its focus to long-haul, low-cost operations in 2007, and rebranded to AirAsia X in September of the same year.^[6]

Tony Fernandes revealed that the name was inspired by Yoshiki, the leader of the Japanese rock band X Japan.^[7]

To support its launch, Richard Branson's Virgin Group acquired a 20% stake in AirAsia X to finance aircraft purchases and operations.^[8][9][10]

On September 15, 2007, the airline took delivery of its first aircraft at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The aircraft was named "Semangat Sir Freddie" ("Spirit of Sir Freddie") in tribute to Sir Freddie Laker, a pioneer of low-cost aviation and founder of the Skytrain service.^[11]

The airline's inaugural long-haul flight departed from Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast Airport in Australia on November 2, 2007, offering promotional fares as low as MYR 50 (USD 17).^[12][13]

Following its rebranding, AirAsia X expanded its network, focusing on more economical destinations, starting with destinations in Australia, including Melbourne and Perth,^[14] as well as Hangzhou, China.^[15]

In 2009, AirAsia X expanded its operations to Europe with the launch of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to London-Stansted, later shifting the service to London-Gatwick in 2011.^[16] The airline expanded further in 2010 by adding Paris-Orly Airport to its network.^[17] This growth made AirAsia X the first budget carrier to serve the Kangaroo Route, connecting long-haul travel between Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe.

After experiencing early success, AirAsia X faced significant challenges starting in 2010. Rising fuel costs and intensified competition in the long-haul sector pressured the airline’s profitability and cost management.^[18]

In 2012, AirAsia X had to withdraw from several unprofitable routes, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Paris, London, Tianjin, and Tehran, but launched flights to Sydney and Beijing.^{[18][19][20][21]}

In 2013, AirAsia X launched an initial public offering (IPO) on the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange, raising MYR 988 million (USD 310 million).^[22] The company acquired more Airbus A330 aircraft to strengthen its long-haul network. By 2015, the airline had introduced new destinations, including Sapporo, Japan.^[23]

The expansion continued into 2017, with AirAsia X launching flights to Honolulu, Hawaii, in June and Jeju, South Korea, in December. In 2018, the airline moved its Melbourne operations to Avalon Airport to reduce costs. 2019, the airline had added several new international routes from Kuala Lumpur, including services to Fukuoka, Lanzhou, Taipei, Osaka, Tokyo (Narita) and Singapore.^[24][25][26]

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused major disruptions to global travel, forcing AirAsia X to suspend its operations in March.^[27] The halt in services resulted in significant financial strain, leading the airline to begin a debt restructuring process in October 2020.^[28]

By March 2022, AirAsia X successfully completed its debt restructuring with court approval.^[28] The airline then began to gradually resume services, starting with the Seoul and Delhi routes, starting in April.

AirAsia X’s recovery efforts gained momentum in 2023, with the airline carrying over 2.8 million passengers, a 6.8-fold increase compared to the previous year. In Q4 2023, AirAsia X saw a 2.6-fold year-on-year growth, carrying 890,289 passengers and achieving a passenger load factor (PLF) of 82%.^[29]

In November 2024, the airline launched its first flight to Nairobi, Kenya, but was cancelled in September 2025 after less than a year due to low travel demand.^[30][31] Additionally, it introduced flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan. As of 2024, the airline operates 22 destinations from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

In December 2024, Tony Fernandes confirmed that in an effort to consolidate long-haul and short-haul operations under one brand, AirAsia X and AirAsia would merge to become AirAsia Group.^[32]

On January 14, 2026, it was announced that AirAsia X will be simply rebranded as AirAsia from January 19, as part of the final stages of restructuring of its parent company, Capital A Berhad. From that date, AirAsia would be a unified airline brand and company.^[33] However, the airline said it has no decision yet to rename to AirAsia, but instead it is currently exploring another possible name change.^[34][35]

As of July 2024, AirAsia X flies (or has flown) operated to the following destinations:

As of August 2025, AirAsia X operates the following aircraft:^[55]

AirAsia X formerly operated the following aircraft:

In 2009, AirAsia X placed an order for 10 Airbus A350-900 aircraft but canceled the order in April 2018 due to rising prices.^[57][59] During a business forum in Manila in February 2018, Tony Fernandes revealed that the airline was considering the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for fleet expansion. However, a month later, the decision was made not to pursue the Boeing aircraft.^[60][61]

By September 2018, reports indicated that AirAsia X was exploring the use of Airbus A321neo and A321LR aircraft alongside its Airbus A330 fleet. The airline believed that using narrow-body aircraft on shorter routes, with a maximum flight time of 7.9 hours, could result in cost savings of up to 16% on variable costs and 5% on fixed costs.^[62]

In March 2020, AirAsia X announced that the delivery of its Airbus A330-900 aircraft would be delayed indefinitely. This decision was made in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[63] However, by June 2022, the airline confirmed its commitment to receiving Airbus A330neos and A321XLRs, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026, as it gradually resumed operations after a two-year hiatus.^[64] However in early 2026, the airline cancelled their order of the fifteen Airbus A330-900 as part of the company's reorganisation and intention to exit widebody operations, and transition to an all all-narrowbody operation consisting of the Airbus A321s.^[57]

The head office and registered office of AirAsia X are currently located at the RedQ facility at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 in Sepang, Selangor.^[65] The airline's previous head office was at the LCC Terminal at KLIA, while its registered office was situated on Level 12 of Menara Prima Tower B in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.^[66]

AirAsia X had planned to relocate to a new 613,383-square-foot (56,985.1 m²) facility at klia2, which was completed to house around 2,000 AirAsia and AirAsia X employees. The new headquarters, known as "RedQuarters" or "RedQ," was named by Filipina flight attendant January Ann Baysa, and its groundbreaking ceremony took place in November 2014.^[67]

AirAsia X operates with one of the lowest costs among long-haul airlines globally, with a Cost per Available Seat-Kilometre (CASK) of US$0.0351 in 2015, or US$0.0240 excluding fuel costs. This enables the airline to offer fares 30 to 50% lower than traditional long-haul carriers. The airline also collaborates with its affiliate, AirAsia, to streamline operations, such as staff management, fuel hedging, marketing and computer systems, benefiting from economies of scale typically unavailable to smaller airlines.^[68]

The entry of two major investors provided AirAsia X with crucial financial support for its future expansion plans. This investment was aimed at assisting the airline's growth and development.

As of 14 February 2008, Aero Ventures, a venture involving Tony Fernandes, other prominent Malaysians and Air Canada's Robert Milton, owned 48% of AirAsia X. Virgin Group held a 16% stake, while AirAsia owned an additional 16%. Bahrain-based Manara Consortium and Japan's Orix Corp acquired a combined 20% stake in AirAsia X for RM250 million.^[69]

AirAsia X was listed on Bursa Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange) on 10 July 2013, with shares offered to both individual and institutional investors at MYR1.25 (approximately US$0.39) per share. The listing raised MYR988 million (US$310 million at 2013 exchange rates) and valued the company at MYR3 billion (US$940 million). The shares performed poorly on their first day, closing unchanged and recording what Bloomberg described as the "second-worst trading debut in Malaysia" that year. As of 10 October 2016, shares were priced at MYR0.39, giving the company a market value of MYR1.62 billion (US$390 million at 2016 exchange rates).^[70] As of 10 October 2016, shares of AirAsia X Berhad were trading at MYR0.39, giving the company a market value of MYR1.62 billion (US$390 million at 2016 exchange rates).

According to data from Bloomberg cited by The Edge in February 2022, the largest shareholder of AirAsia X Berhad was Tune Group, a private investment vehicle owned by Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun, holding a 17.8% stake. The two collectively held an indirect stake of 31.59%, with Capital A, the parent company of AirAsia, owning an additional 13.8%.^[71]

Indonesia AirAsia X was the medium and long-haul division of Indonesia AirAsia, operating cost-efficient services with shared ticketing, aircraft livery, and management style. It initially served medium-haul routes from Bali to Mumbai and Tokyo, and short-haul flights from Jakarta, Denpasar and Surabaya. However, it faced disruptions, including the cancellation of its Melbourne route in 2014 due to lack of government approval, and ended its Taipei route in September 2015.^[72]

In late 2018, the airline announced it would cease scheduled operations by January 2019, transitioning to non-scheduled services. It ultimately ceased all operations and was liquidated on 17 October 2020 as part of AirAsia's restructuring.^[73]

Thai AirAsia X, a joint venture between AirAsia and Thai entrepreneurs Tassapon Bijleveld and Julpas Krueospon, was established on 18 September 2013, with AirAsia holding a 49% stake. The airline, as the long-haul arm of Thai AirAsia, commenced operations in June 2014 with its first flight to Seoul and expanded to other destinations such as Osaka and Tokyo.^[74] It operates with shared systems, aircraft livery, and management styles, benefiting from cost efficiencies.

In December 2016, Thai AirAsia X ended its Middle East routes, and in August 2019, it took delivery of its first Airbus A330neo. After facing disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a suspension of domestic flights in 2021, the airline announced in 2022 that it would relocate its operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport and filed for bankruptcy, which did not affect its ongoing services.

• AirAsia
• List of airlines of Malaysia
• Transport in Malaysia

Media related to Air Asia X at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website