AirAsia Expands Capacity with 5.2 Million Additional Seats to India and China Following Visa Waiver Announcement

In a significant move to enhance regional tourism, AirAsia has declared a substantial expansion in its flight operations connecting China, India, and Malaysia. Starting from the first quarter of 2024, the airline is set to operate 230 weekly flights across these nations, making available an impressive 5.2 million seats annually.

The expansion follows the Malaysian government's recent policy of granting 30-day visa-free entry to travelers from China and India, effective from December 1. This progressive step is anticipated to trigger a significant increase in travel demand, to which AirAsia has responded proactively.

Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, expressed his enthusiasm about this development. He thanked the Malaysian government, especially Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for their visionary approach. Fernandes emphasized that the visa-free entry is a major boost for Malaysia's tourism and economy, particularly with the peak travel season on the horizon.

AirAsia, recognized as the largest foreign low-cost carrier in China, operates 17 routes in the country with 156 weekly flights through AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia X Malaysia. Additionally, the airlines have ramped up their service to India, offering 74 weekly flights across nine routes. AirAsia Malaysia covers various Indian cities including Bengaluru, Kolkata, Cochin, Hyderabad, Chennai, Trichy, and Trivandrum, while AirAsia X Malaysia connects Kuala Lumpur with New Delhi and Amritsar.

With an estimated 4.6 million guests expected to travel on AirAsia’s network between China and India in 2024, the airline is set to play a crucial role in helping Malaysia achieve its ambitious tourism goal of attracting 25 million international tourists annually.

In conclusion, the visa exemption for Chinese and Indian travelers marks a turning point in regional tourism and economic growth. AirAsia's significant flight increase between these countries will enhance connectivity, facilitating the movement of people and goods. This is expected to lead to greater trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.