South-east Asian budget carrier AirAsia X is to restart flights to Europe for the first time in more than a decade.
The Malaysia-based airline will launch a new service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport on 14 November, with four flights per week on the route using Airbus A330-300 aircraft.
AirAsiaX previously flew from London and Paris to Malaysia but axed these long-haul services in early 2012 due to high costs and “weakening demand” for travel in Europe at the time.
The airline said that the launch of flights to Istanbul this winter marked its “long-anticipated entry into Europe”.
Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, added: “Hot on the heels of our recent expansion into Central Asia, this long-awaited route takes us one step closer to delivering longer connectivity across continents.
“This is a strategic decision that strengthens our network, creates more pathways for business collaboration, and enhances access to new experiences for travellers around the world.”
AirAsiaX will operate its new Istanbul-Kuala Lumpur flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.