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AirAsia Malaysia is set to launch a new non-stop service between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur.
The route, commencing 27 June, will operate four times per week on A321neo aircraft, adding around 100,000 seats per year and bringing AirAsia Group’s total weekly Darwin flights to seven. It comes after sister airline Indonesia AirAsia announced a non-stop Denpasar service in January.
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“This route directly responds to demand from our community, who have long called for more affordable travel options to key destinations like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India,” said Rob Porter, executive general manager for airports at Darwin Airport parent company Airport Development Group.
“Beyond offering greater choice for Territorians, this new link will also strengthen inbound tourism, supporting local businesses and cementing Darwin’s position as a key international gateway.
“We look forward to working closely with AirAsia to grow this service and explore future opportunities for expansion.”
Supported under the NT government’s Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme, the route will “not only improve air accessibility and affordability for Territorians, but will make it easier to invest, visit and do business in the Territory,” said NT Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations, Robyn Cahill.
“AirAsia is consistently recognised as among the world’s best low-cost airlines, so their decision to invest in Darwin reinforces our bright economic future,” she said.
“Air connectivity is a priority for the Territory, so we will now be focused on working with all airline partners to ensure all flights see strong commercial outcomes.
“We are sending a clear message that we are open for business and that we are well placed to advance trade, investment and strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia.”
Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, chief executive of AirAsia Malaysia, said the service will give Darwin a low-cost connection with a major Southeast Asian travel hub for the first time in 10 years.
“With our seamless Fly-Thru services via Kuala Lumpur, travellers from across Asia, including Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Cambodia, and South Korea, can now easily access Darwin and experience the wonders of Australia’s Top End,” he said.
Indonesia AirAsia last year bolstered its connections to northern Australia with the launch of three weekly flights between Bali and Cairns.
The airline had previously served Darwin Airport following the exit of Garuda Indonesia in 2009, before abruptly pulling out itself in 2018 as part of a network restructure.
