Malaysia’s AirAsia has announced plans to begin flight operations to Pakistan, marking a significant development in the country’s aviation sector, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Thursday.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted permission for AirAsia to operate flights between Karachi and Kuala Lumpur, with services set to commence on May 30, 2025.
Initially, the airline will run four weekly flights, providing a direct and affordable travel option between the two nations.
Aviation experts believe the new route will boost connectivity, create job opportunities in Pakistan, and benefit the growing Pakistani community in Malaysia.
AirAsia, Malaysia’s only low-cost carrier, currently operates 22 routes and sees this expansion as a key milestone in its international network growth.
Benyamin Ismail, AirAsia X CEO said: “As we build on our strong growth momentum in 2024, we are thrilled to launch AAX’s next adventure in Karachi, further strengthening our presence in the South Asian market. Karachi is a dynamic city with a rich history and a thriving modern economy, and we are proud to be the sole low-cost carrier connecting this vibrant metropolis to our extensive network beyond Malaysia. This route will also open up hundreds of seamless connectivity options for travellers to key markets such as Australia, China, Thailand, and more via our Fly-Thru services.
“With plenty to explore and experience, be it for business, leisure or pilgrimage, both nations are set to benefit from immense tourism and travel potential with this new flight service. AAX anticipates carrying more than 100,000 guests annually on this route, further reiterating our commitment to support the Malaysian government’s initiative to welcome 30 million tourists in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. We look forward to mutually benefitting the growth and prosperity of both countries.”
Fare and schedule
In celebration of the announcement, AAX is offering promotional fares from Kuala Lumpur to Karachi, starting from RM959 all-in* one-way and from Karachi to Kuala Lumpur for PKR64,990 all-in* one-way. The promotional fare is available for booking on the AirAsia MOVE app and airasia.com from now until 20 April 2025 for the travel period between 30 May 2025 and 27 March 2026.
Reporter: Saeed Ahmed Saeed