KARACHI: Malaysia’s budget airline, AirAsia X, officially entered the Pakistani aviation market late Friday night, launching its first flight to Karachi with a traditional water salute at Jinnah International Airport.
The inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur carried 298 passengers and marked the beginning of AirAsia X’s four-times-weekly service to Karachi. The return flight departed with 315 passengers.
The airline’s entry is expected to reduce travel costs, promote tourism, and strengthen trade ties between Pakistan and Malaysia.
A welcome ceremony was held at the airport, where TCB Aviation CEO Khawaja Ali Kamal Majeed and the Malaysian Consul General received passengers. A cake-cutting event marked the occasion, followed by farewells to outbound travelers.
Speaking to reporters, Majeed said AirAsia X’s launch signals a new chapter in Pakistan’s aviation industry. “AirAsia X is a leading airline in Malaysia, and its presence in Pakistan is a positive development for the local aviation and travel sectors,” he said.
TCB Aviation, which serves as AirAsia’s General Sales Agent (GSA) in Pakistan, played a key role in the airline’s operational launch. According to Majeed, the carrier also plans to expand its footprint in the country by introducing flights to Lahore and Islamabad in the near future.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, anticipating that budget carriers like AirAsia will make international travel more accessible for Pakistani consumers while also facilitating cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations.
