Kenya has taken a major step in enhancing its connectivity to the Asia-Pacific region with the arrival of AirAsia X’s maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi.
The historic flight, which landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), marks the first direct connection between Malaysia and Kenya and positions Nairobi as a gateway to Africa for travellers from East and Southeast Asia.
The inaugural flight carried 377 passengers, including tourists, businesspeople, and students, and was welcomed with fanfare by top government and industry officials.
Kenya has taken a major step in enhancing its connectivity to the Asia-Pacific region with the arrival of AirAsia X’s maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi.
The historic flight, which landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), marks the first direct connection between Malaysia and Kenya and positions Nairobi as a gateway to Africa for travellers from East and Southeast Asia.
The inaugural flight carried 377 passengers, including tourists, businesspeople, and students, and was welcomed with fanfare by top government and industry officials.
This is a significant achievement for Kenya. We are opening our skies to the Asia-Pacific region, bringing more tourists and boosting our economy. With over 360 passengers on this maiden flight, we are well on track to achieving our tourism targets,” Miano said.
The route is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and investment opportunities between Kenya and Asia-Pacific countries. Passengers on the inaugural flight included travellers from China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Australia, underscoring the route’s potential to attract a diverse range of visitors.
“This is our first flight into Africa, and it’s a momentous occasion. We aim to bring new travellers to Kenya, many of whom are flying for the first time. Our low-cost model ensures affordability and accessibility,” said AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail
The direct eight-and-a-half-hour flight significantly reduces travel time, which previously required connecting flights taking up to 19 hours. AirAsia X will operate the route four times weekly, with plans to increase frequency based on demand.
This direct connection will enhance tourism, trade, and education exchanges, benefiting both countries,” said Malaysian Ambassador to Kenya, Ruzaini Mohamad.
The route is expected to attract delegations from Malaysia to Kenya. In the coming week, 12 Malaysian tech companies and 17 coffee distributors are set to visit Kenya, exploring opportunities in technology and coffee value chains.
Tourism industry stakeholders welcomed the development, citing its potential to boost the sector. Felix Musa, CEO of Viutravel, noted that direct flights not only enhance convenience but also bring competitive pricing.
“This is a game-changer for the industry. We are working with AirAsia X to offer attractive packages for both inbound and outbound travelers,” Musa said.
