Low-Cost Carrier Establishes First Hub Outside Asia

AirAsia X has announced plans to establish Bahrain as its first hub outside Asia, connecting Southeast Asia with the Middle East and Europe through a new route to London. The Malaysian low-cost carrier will launch service between Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Bahrain International Airport, and London-Gatwick Airport starting in June 2026. This marks AirAsia X’s return to the British capital after suspending direct flights over a decade ago. The development follows a Letter of Intent signed between parent company Capital A and Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, as reported by AeroTime.