AirAsia X has announced the launch of a brand new route to Nairobi (NBO) in Africa, the only low-cost carrier in Malaysia to offer non-stop connectivity to this destination in a new continent for the airline. Its first flight will take off on 15 November 2024.
Nairobi is the heart of Kenya offering acres of lush greenery, wide open grass plains and an abundance of wildlife. Catch a glimpse of the near-extinct Northern White Rhino or the Great Migration in Masai Mara. The city is also a bustling metropolis of vibrant nightlife, deeply rooted in culture and flavourful delights stemming from the various cultures and traditions it is a home to.
The Nairobi route serves as a crucial link in connecting Asia to Africa, fostering stronger trade, tourism and business ties within the region.
An AirAsia spokesperson attributed the decision to choose Nairobi as a new destination to strong point-to-point demand and a large source market mainly from China, followed by Australia, Korea and Japan. In 2019, some 6,000 passengers from Nairobi flew to Kuala Lumpur, with over 1,000 passengers arriving in the first quarter of 2024. AirAsia X expect that number to increase to 15,000 to 20,000 passengers from the new destination. There is also hope that passengers connecting in Kuala Lumpur from AirAsia’s source markets will spend two or three nights in Malaysia before connecting to Nairobi as well as for Kenyans to visit other Asian cities served by AirAsia.
“Embarking on this new adventure into Africa is truly exhilarating, particularly in light of our significant growth trajectory earlier this year. This route presents excellent connectivity opportunities to other key markets we serve, especially in the Asean region. Travellers from Singapore can now journey more affordably to Kenya, with a convenient and smooth stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Kenya is a vibrant nation, home to millions of people and a rich tapestry of beautiful heritages and extraordinary sceneries. We look forward to further enriching the cultural and economic exchanges between these dynamic regions.”
Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X
Passengers can enjoy a seamless Fly-Thru connection, linking Kenya to 130 destinations across Southeast Asia, Northern and Central Asia and Australia. This means your luggage is checked through to your final destination with AirAsia.
Currently, Singaporeans travelling to Nairobi must either fly via Bangkok and connect to a Kenya Airways (Skyteam member) flight, which takes an additional 9 hours and 5 minutes to reach Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), or fly with Air India, stopping over at Indira Gandhi International in Delhi and then change to another Air India flight to Nairobi. The shortest travel time to Nairobi is approximately 14 hours. Other airlines offering one-stop flights include Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, and others.
