AirAsia X announces flights between Kuala Lumpur and Gold Coast at discounted rates

The Gold Coast will welcome the return of weekly direct flights to a popular overseas destination. Find out ticket prices and dates.

THE Gold Coast will welcome the return of weekly direct flights to Kuala Lumpur in an exciting boost for the city’s tourism sector.

Low cost service AirAsia X, which recently restructured to avoid liquidation after almost being wiped out by the Covid pandemic, has announced it will run three direct flights a week from the Coast to the Malaysian capital.

The Gold Coast route will become the airline’s fourth destination in Australia following its restructure. The Glitter Strip was the carrier’s first route in Australia when it landed back in 2007.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said the demand for the route to return to the “gem of Queensland” was overwhelming.

AirAsia X announces flights between Kuala Lumpur and Gold Coast

“We are thrilled to be coming back to the stunning Gold Coast as the first and only low cost carrier flying direct,” he said.

“(Gold Coast was) our first ever route which launched in November 2007, this is an incredibly special announcement for AAX.

“15 years ago the Gold Coast was the catalyst for the birth of AirAsia X and our Australia expansion, which quickly became one of our most popular core markets,” he said.

Mr Ismail said the new route to Kuala Lumpur could connect travellers to 130 more destinations across Asia.

AirAsia X marked its 10 year birthday with a specially decorated Airbus flight into the Gold Coast from Kuala Lumpur on, October 26. The plane was greeted with a fire service water tower celebration on the tarmac at Gold Coast Airport.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said $200m was put forward by the Queensland Government for aviation attraction in partnership with Queensland’s four international airports.

“The return of AirAsia X to Gold Coast Airport’s arrivals board is a terrific investment in Gold Coast tours, and jobs,” he said.

“International aviation is highly competitive but absolutely critical to rebuilding Queensland’s post-Covid overseas visitor economy and that’s why we’re backing AirAsia X on the Gold Coast.”

AirAsia X announces flights between Kuala Lumpur and Gold Coast

Destination Gold Coast Chair Adrienne Readings said the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund played a significant part in welcoming back the new route.

“We know the Gold Coast is a sought-after destination for Malaysian visitors who love everything from our safe and spacious destination to year-round sunny climate, family-friendly attractions, immersive nature based experiences and extensive dining scene,” she said.

“It’s touchdown for a great airline, soon to be operating again from our city’s incredible new terminal.”

The flight routes include departing from Kuala Lumpur at 11.20pm arriving at the Gold Coast at 9.35am on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Departing from Gold Coast at 10.50am and arriving at Kuala Lumpur at 5.25pm on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

AirAsia X announces flights between Kuala Lumpur and Gold Coast

The flight schedule was released for the 2023 period from February 15 to October 28.

In celebration of the routes return AirAsia X said they would offer discounted fairs which went on sale at 10am on Monday.

These discounts include a flights between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast from $299 for economy and $1999 for Premium Flatbed.

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