Air Asia To Suspend Flights To Nairobi After Less Than A Year
The airline admitted that the news could lead to disappointment towards its customers and travel partners, and could disrupt passengers' future travel plans.
Marvin Chege 
Capital A Berhad, operating as AirAsia, a Malaysian multinational low-cost airline, has announced that it will suspend its direct flights between Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur from September 1, 2025.
In a statement, the airline revealed that this suspension will run until further notice, attributing this to a network optimisation initiative.
The airline admitted that the news could lead to disappointment towards its customers and travel partners, and could disrupt passengers' future travel plans.
Tourists disembarking from the inaugural Air Asia flight to Nairobi on November 15, 2024. /KENYA AIRPORTS AUTHORITY
"We regret to inform you that AirAsia will be suspending services from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur and from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi starting September 1, 2025, until further notice as part of a network optimisation initiative.
"We understand this news may be disappointing and will impact your clients' travel plans. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused," the communication read.
Accordingly, the airline has implemented a range of service recovery measures to support passengers impacted by the route suspension.
Customers holding tickets for travel beyond the suspension date may opt to change their flight and reschedule their journey to an earlier date. "Passengers may choose to move their travel to an earlier date before August 31, 2025, subject to availability," the communication added.
Furthermore, for customers who are unable to adjust their travel plans, the airline is providing full refunds. "We encourage passengers to select their preferred option before their original departure date as this will enable us to assist them as soon as possible," the communication further read.
Per its official website, Air Asia, however, assured that it will continue to review its network and consumer demand and will make adjustments from time to time to ensure commercial viability and best value fares for its guests across its network.
"If we witness strong demand for AAX to return on this route, we will review the potential again," stated the airline.
On November 15, 2024, Air Asia completed its inaugural flight to Nairobi, Kenya, touching down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The flight, which was carrying 377 passengers, inclusive of tourists, businesspeople and students, as well as crew members, marked a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity between Kenya and Malaysia and sought to bolster both the aviation and tourism sectors in both countries.
Passengers on the inaugural flight included travellers from China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Australia, underscoring the route’s potential to attract a diverse range of visitors.
The reception ceremony was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Rebecca Miano, who warmly welcomed the guests. She described the milestone as a boost to the tourism and transport sectors, aligning with Kenya’s strategy to grow tourist arrivals to five million annually by 2027.
AirAsia X became the first low-cost airline from Southeast Asia to launch a direct flight connection to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Ahead of the suspension, the service operated four times a week with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, each capable of carrying up to 285 passengers.
Defying expectations, this low-cost carrier offers a premium experience, including all cabin classes typically found on full-service airlines, even flatbed seats.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano posing with a tourist at the arrival of the inaugural Air Asia flight to Nairobi on November 15, 2024. /KENYA AIRPORTS AUTHORITY
