AirAsia has cemented its place as the “largest foreign airline in China” with the launch of two new routes from its home in Malaysia.
The new destination of Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB), China, will be served by new services from both Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) in the Malaysian capital and Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI).
In a statement on July 3, 2024, the airline said Ningbo marks AirAsia Group’s 17th destination in China with six weekly flights scheduled to operate on the new route.
Through its AirAsia Malaysia carrier, the first flights to NGB will begin on August 1, 2024, from Kuala Lumpa and from Kota Kinabalu on August 2, 2024.
Ningbo is located in the eastern part of Zhejiang province and is considered one of China’s ancient cities, boasting a rich heritage and serving as a vital port city.
To mark the new operations, AirAsia is offering passengers promotional fares which are available to book until July 7, 2024.
It has been a busy week for AirAsia, after it also announced a new service to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, beginning later this year.
The new route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) will commence on November 15, 2024, with the Airbus A330-300 service operating four times a week.
The airline said on July 1, 2024, that the new route comes off the back of a “strong start” to the year and a “robust trajectory” in its financial results thanks in part to increased load factors.
AirAsia X previously flew to the African island Mauritius in what was the airline’s first-ever expansion into Africa.