AirAsia X has postponed the launch date of its Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London/Gatwick route to August 27.
The carrier will operate four round trips per week, with departures from Kuala Lumpur on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and departures from London/Gatwick on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. From October 31, the frequency is expected to increase to one round trip daily. The original plan was to operate one round trip per day starting June 26.
The route will be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The flight time from Kuala Lumpur will range from 16 hours 5 minutes to 16 hours 25 minutes, and the flight time from London/Gatwick will be 16 hours 30 minutes.
AirAsia X withdrew from London and Paris in March 2012, making this its first operation to Europe in about 14 years. This will be its second fifth-freedom route, and Bahrain, positioned as AirAsia X’s first global hub airport, is expected to strengthen its function as a key gateway connecting Southeast Asia with the Middle East and Europe.
Located in the southern part of London, Gatwick Airport is the second-largest airport in the United Kingdom after London Heathrow Airport. It currently serves 15 routes to Asia, and this will be the first service from Kuala Lumpur. In addition, 57 other long-haul routes are operated from Gatwick.
■ Timetable D7972 Kuala Lumpur (22:00) – Bahrain (00:40+1 / 02:05+1) – London/Gatwick (07:05+1) / Thu D7972 Kuala Lumpur (22:00) – Bahrain (00:40+1 / 02:25+1) – London/Gatwick (07:25+1) / Tue, Sat, Sun D7973 London/Gatwick (10:25) – Bahrain (18:55 / 20:55) – Kuala Lumpur (09:55+1) / Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
