AirAsia X (AAX) Berhad has announced Bahrain as its new strategic Middle East hub, with plans to launch a Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Gatwick route on June 26, 2026. The airline's leadership emphasized Bahrain's central location and well-developed aviation infrastructure as key factors in its decision to develop the country into a major transit and connectivty hub for Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This move aligns with the airline’s global expansion strategy, aiming to connect more regions and foster economic growth.
The route, offering advanced connectivity options, is expected to strengthen Bahrain's position as a gateway linking Southeast Asia to Europe and the Middle East. This initiative is also seen as an opportunity to create thousands of jobs and attract significant investment, with Fernandes projecting the base of 100 aircraft and 45 million passengers within ten years. Bahrain’s government officials highlighted the economic benefits, including increased employment and growth across logistics, tourism, and related sectors. They also expressed optimism about expanding Bahrain’s aviation network and fostering partnerships with aerospace service providers, such as Asia Digital Engineering, which plans to establish a maintenance hangar in the kingdom.
In addition to service expansion, AirAsia X is offering promotional fares from RM99 and RM199 for the new route, encouraging early bookings through its website and app. Overall, this strategic move aims to elevate Bahrain’s role as a regional and global air transit hub, promising enhanced connectivity and economic development for the country.
