AirAsia X has operated its inaugural direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent, marking a significant milestone in connectivity between Uzbekistan and Malaysia.
A press conference held in Tashkent brought together representatives from the Malaysian Embassy in Uzbekistan, AirAsia X, and Capital A to celebrate the new route and discuss its potential benefits, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.
Ilham Tuah bin Illias, Malaysia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan, alongside AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail and Capital A Executive Chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, emphasized that the new flight path would open up fresh opportunities for travelers from Uzbekistan to experience Malaysia’s rich natural beauty and vibrant culture.
The two countries have seen steadily growing relations over recent years. In conjunction with the flight launch, AirAsia X and Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting tourism and enhancing cooperation through joint marketing campaigns, partnership initiatives, and cultural exchange programs.
“I am very pleased that the AirAsia XA-330 flight has successfully landed at Tashkent International Airport. The flight occupancy rate was 85 percent. This was our first flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent. The return flight was operated with a 70 percent load factor. From the very first day, we have been witnessing strong demand and significant interest from passengers, which makes us extremely happy. AirAsia connects 235 cities across the Asia-Pacific region. This provides citizens of Uzbekistan with the opportunity to travel not only to Malaysia but also to Indonesia, Australia, Japan, China, and other countries. Our main goal is to strengthen ties between people and nations.
From the very beginning, our company has set itself the mission of making air travel accessible to everyone. According to research, 40-50 percent of the population have never flown before or have saved money for several years for their first flight. We make travel affordable and convenient,” said Benyamin Ismail.
Datuk Kamarudin Meranun highlighted the significance of the new route for tourism development in both countries.
“The history of AirAsia began in 1996. At that time, the company had only two aircraft and 250 employees. Today, we are proud to note that the airline has carried nearly 900 million passengers and operates flights to 135 destinations across Asia. Our fleet currently consists of 250 aircraft, with another 400 expected to join soon. The company is one of the largest air carriers in the region. I am confident that cooperation with Uzbekistan will be long-term and fruitful,” he added.
Following the press conference, experts took questions from the media.
Notably, Malaysia aims to attract 43 million foreign visitors in 2025, with an ambitious target of 47 million by 2026. These objectives align with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) initiative, which encourages tourists to extend their stays and increase spending, thereby contributing significantly to the national economy.
