AirAsia X Suspends Nairobi Route

In a disappointing turn for East Africa–Asia connectivity, AirAsia X has confirmed the suspension of its Kuala Lumpur–Nairobi flights just under a year after launching the ambitious long-haul route. The last flight is scheduled for August 31, 2025, with operations officially ceasing from September 1, 2025.

A Short-Lived Venture

The Kuala Lumpur–Nairobi route was launched with much fanfare on November 15, 2024, positioning AirAsia X as one of the few budget long-haul carriers connecting Southeast Asia directly to East Africa. The service, operating three times weekly, was seen as a potential game-changer for travellers and businesses seeking affordable options between the regions.

However, despite initial optimism, low demand and underwhelming load factors prompted the airline to rethink its strategy. This development highlights the unpredictable nature of long-haul, low-cost operations, especially in emerging or untested markets.

Support for Affected Travellers

AirAsia X has confirmed that all passengers booked on flights scheduled after August 31, 2025, will receive options under its Service Recovery Options (SRO) policy. This includes:

• Full refunds
• Credit accounts for future travel
• Free-of-charge flight date changes (for travel before service ends)

Whilst this marks the end of the short-lived venture into Africa, there is hope for AirAsia to return as they have highlighted South Africa and Egypt as potential destinations.