On 14th May (Saturday), AirAsia X Bhd and Thai AirAsia X, the long haul subsidiary of Malaysia’s AirAsia, announced Tehran as their latest destination in the group’s route network, connecting both Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok directly to the Iranian capital.
AirAsia X used to fly direct to Tehran but the flights were suspended in 2012 due to sharp fluctuation in Iran’s exchange market. However, with the restoration, the airline hopes to increase the number of tourists who travel to Iran from Southeast Asia and Australia.
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said Iran is a large and growing economy and Tehran is a brilliant business city, with the recent lifting of sanctions opening up exciting new prospects for Iran as a tourist destination.
“We believe that the revival of direct flights to Tehran from Kuala Lumpur is timely and we foresee that our direct flights from both ASEAN cities of Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok can improve bilateral relations while encouraging trade and tourism activities between the cities,” he said in a statement.
Direct flights to Tehran from Kuala Lumpur (klia2) and Bangkok (Don Mueang International Airport) will be operated 3 times weekly, with the commencement dates set for 21st and 22nd June respectively.
AirAsia X flights will take off on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday per week from Kuala Lumpur to Tehran and will on Monday and Wednesday and Friday from Tehran to Kuala Lumpur. The airline will also provide flights from Bangkok to Tehran on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
To commemorate the launch of this brand-new route, AirAsia X is offering promotional all-in-fares from as low as RM299 one-way on economy seats and from as low as RM999 one-way on the award-winning Premium Flatbeds departing from Kuala Lumpur.
These promotional fares are available for booking online at airasia.com from now until 29th May 2016 for the travel period from 21st June 2016 departing from Kuala Lumpur.
Sources: Tehran Times, Reuters, TRP, Aviation Pros, NST Online.
