AirAsia X (AAX), a low-cost long-haul carrier, will resume scheduled passenger flights on February 14, 2022, nearly two years after the global pandemic halted air travel.
With a weekly service from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, AirAsia X will begin the gradual reintroduction of flights. In mid-February 2022, the schedules for the autumn and winter seasons will be released.
“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 ongoing COVID-19 epidemic has had a tremendous impact on the airline, which has no domestic market. The airline, however, sees “light at the end of this long tunnel” following its successful restructuring.
AAX, AirAsia Group’s long-haul subsidiary, originally announced its debt restructuring plan in October 2020 as a way to avoid collapse.
Despite the suspension of passenger service, AirAsia X has continued to operate cargo flights.
“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.