Low-cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X (AAX) will restart scheduled passenger operations on February 14, 2022, almost two years after the global pandemic brought air travel to halt.
AirAsia X will begin the gradual restoration of flights with a weekly service from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney. Schedules for the autumn and winter season will be announced in mid-February 2022.
“Following our travel downtime over the last two years, and the recent completion of our restructuring process, we are thrilled to be able to relaunch and commence our gradual return to the skies,” AirAsia X CEO, Benyamin Ismail announced in a statement.
The airline, which has no domestic market, has been significantly affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But after its successful restructuring, the airline sees “light at the end of this long tunnel”. The long-haul subsidiary of AirAsia Group, AAX first announced its debt restructuring scheme as a measure to escape liquidation in October 2020.
Despite the passenger service suspension, AirAsia X has been active in cargo operations.
“This has been a lifeline for us,” AirAsia X Suresh COO, Kumar Bangah said.
“Whilst take up will be gradual, it can only get better in the coming months as more people return to the skies. We are ready for that pent up demand,” Bangah added.