Following the successful launch of the first flight from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty and its grand celebration, AirAsia X (AAX) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the national company Kazakh Tourism on strategic cooperation.

The memorandum provides for the expansion of commercial cooperation between the airline and the organization in promoting tourism between Kazakhstan and Malaysia. It will also help create new business opportunities, develop joint sales and marketing campaigns, and stimulate the economies of both countries through tourism.

As a strategic partner, AirAsia will not only bring travelers from Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries to Almaty, but will also open 130 new destinations across the region for Kazakh tourists through Kuala Lumpur. The companies are seeking to expand the promotion of Malaysia and Kazakhstan tourism products throughout Southeast Asia through joint conferences, tourism exhibitions and other events.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Benjamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, and Kairat Sadvakasov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism JSC. Also present at the ceremony were His Excellency Mohda Adli bin Abdullah, Ambassador of Malaysia to Kazakhstan; Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, executive chairman of Capital A; and Dato Pham Ly Yi, Chairman of AirAsia X. Also present were representatives from Almaty International Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Kazakhstan and other key industry figures.

Benjamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, said: “This strategic alliance is a significant step for both Malaysia and Kazakhstan. It's not just about improving the travel experience, it's also about supporting our economy. Wherever we fly, our competitive fares encourage air travel and contribute to the tourism sector, which is a major driver of job creation and economic growth."

Kairat Sadvakasov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism, in turn, emphasized: “We are pleased to welcome AAH to our country. The entry of Air Asia into our market is important not only for Kazakhstan, but also for the entire Central Asian region. We believe that cooperation between countries will create new jobs and play a significant role in the growth of our countries' economies."

In an effort to promote tourism in both directions, AAX has launched flights in the Kuala Lumpur-Almaty and Almaty-Kuala Lumpur routes with a frequency of 4 times a week. Planes will fly every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

AAX's first flight from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty landed on 14 March 2024 with a load factor above 90%. This is a big step forward for the airline on its journey to the heart of Central Asia. On the same day, the airline also transported more than 80 percent of its cargo from Almaty to Kuala Lumpur, marking a successful start to its operations in the region.

gov.kz