Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 15 October 2025, a new chapter in Central Asia’s aviation history will take flight as AirAsia X launches its inaugural route from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent. Known globally as the medium-haul arm of AirAsia — the world’s leading low-cost carrier — AirAsia X is stepping into Uzbekistan’s skies with a bold vision: to make international travel more affordable, accessible, and connected for millions.

This strategic expansion follows the airline’s successful entry into Almaty, Kazakhstan, and marks another milestone in linking Southeast Asia and Central Asia — two regions rich in heritage, economic opportunity, and growing tourism demand. As the airline prepares for takeoff, we spoke exclusively with Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, to learn more about the carrier’s mission, its ambitions for the Uzbekistan market, and what travellers can expect from this new direct link between Tashkent and the heart of ASEAN.

Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X

From Fly-Thru connectivity and customisable fares to halal-friendly services and digital convenience, Mr. Ismail shares how AirAsia X is tailoring its offerings to serve a culturally diverse and increasingly mobile generation of travellers. With the support of governments, tourism bodies, and forward bookings already pouring in, this route is not just about transportation — it’s about transformation.

— For many in Uzbekistan, AirAsia X is a new name. Could you introduce the airline’s history, mission, and what sets it apart from other carriers?

— AirAsia X is the medium-haul affiliate of AirAsia, the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline. Founded in 2007, our mission has always been to make medium-haul travel more accessible through our low-cost model.

We focus on high-density routes over four hours and currently operate a fleet of Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. With over 20 million guests flown and Fly-Thru connectivity to more than 130 destinations, we are uniquely positioned to offer great value travel while maintaining strong network efficiency across Asia Pacific, Australia, and now, Central Asia.

— What makes Tashkent a strategic choice for AirAsia X’s expansion into Central Asia, especially following your successful launch in Almaty?

— Tashkent is a key gateway to Central Asia, rich in culture, heritage, and economic potential. Following the strong market response to our Almaty, Kazakhstan route with an average load factor of over 80 per cent, it was clear that demand for travel between Southeast Asia and Central Asia is growing.

Tashkent complements our network expansion strategy, connecting an underserved region to ASEAN, China, Australia, and beyond via Kuala Lumpur. This route also reflects the deepening ties between Malaysia and Uzbekistan.

As highlighted during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit in May 2024, both nations are working toward a Strategic Partnership for Future Generation, with a strong emphasis on connectivity, tourism and investment.

By linking Tashkent to Kuala Lumpur, we aim to support this shared vision while supporting Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign for Uzbek travellers to explore Malaysia.

— How does AirAsia X’s low-cost long-haul model work, and what benefits can passengers in Uzbekistan expect from flying with you?

— Our model is simple: we offer guests the flexibility to pay only for what they need. This includes affordable base fares with optional add-ons such as meals, baggage and seat selection, such as our award-winning Premium Flatbeds. Guests in Uzbekistan can enjoy highly competitive fares to Kuala Lumpur from USD169 all-in* one way, while still having the option to customise their journey for added comfort.

We also provide one of the region’s most extensive low-cost medium-haul networks. (*All-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only, including passenger service charges, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Promotional fares are available now until 13 July 2025. Travel period from 15 Oct 2025 to 14 Sep 2026. Other terms and conditions apply.)

-- How does AirAsia X plan to cater to the diverse mix of travellers from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and other countries who are already booking this route?

-- The Tashkent route is seeing a healthy forward booking trend from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore, reflecting our diverse market reach. Through Fly-Thru, we enable seamless multi-sector travel via Kuala Lumpur.

For instance, travellers from Jakarta, Indonesia or Chengdu, China can now connect conveniently to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on a single booking with baggage check-through. This also works as travellers from Uzbekistan now have direct access to ASEAN markets and beyond.

-- Can you elaborate on the role of the Fly-Thru connectivity via Kuala Lumpur and how it enhances travel convenience for passengers flying to and from Tashkent?

-- Fly-Thru is our game-changer. It allows guests to transit through Kuala Lumpur without passing immigration or rechecking bags. With this, Tashkent becomes just one stop away from cities like Bali, Bangkok, Tokyo, Melbourne, and more.

For Uzbekistan travellers, Kuala Lumpur is not just a destination, it is a launchpad to the wider Asia Pacific region. And for Malaysian tourism, it allows us to potentially convert transit traffic into potential tourists in supporting Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, especially from emerging markets like Central Asia.

— What opportunities do you see arising for Uzbekistan’s tourism and business sectors as a result of this new direct connection with Southeast Asia?

— This route enhances Uzbekistan’s access to ASEAN, China, and Australia, unlocking opportunities for tourism and trade. With its Silk Road heritage and Islamic landmarks, the country is especially attractive to travellers from Muslim-majority markets like Malaysia and Indonesia.

We also believe the success of this route will be further strengthened through strategic collaborations. We are already working closely with Tourism Malaysia, and we hope to explore similar partnerships with the Uzbekistan tourism authorities to jointly promote bilateral travel and maximise the full potential of this important connection.

-- How does AirAsia X adapt its service and offerings to meet the cultural and travel preferences of different regions, including Central Asia?

-- We adapt with sensitivity and inclusiveness. Our services include halal-certified meals, multilingual cabin crew, and Halal travel packages through Ikhlas.com, our affiliated travel companion. These small but meaningful steps ensure that all our guests feel at home, no matter where they are flying from.

— What core values and customer service principles guide AirAsia X’s operations, especially as you enter a new market like Uzbekistan?

— Our core values are accessibility, reliability, and value. We believe travel should be for everyone, and this is why we offer competitive fares while maintaining high operational standards. Our commitment to guest satisfaction is supported by technology-driven self-service platforms and a passionate team that strives to make travel seamless, even on medium-haul routes.

— Could you share any insights on the challenges and preparations involved in launching a new international route like Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent?

— Every new route launch involves extensive planning, from bilateral negotiations and regulatory approvals to infrastructure readiness and crew training. For Tashkent, we worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Uzbekistan, tourism bodies, and our General Sales Agent to ensure operational readiness. We also conducted detailed market studies, which showed promising demand for this connection.

— Are there any plans to further expand AirAsia X’s presence in Central Asia following Tashkent?

— Central Asia is a fast-emerging market for us. Tashkent is our second route in the region after Almaty, and we are exploring more opportunities across the region. As demand grows and operational conditions align, we are keen to expand to other cities in the region.

— How does AirAsia X balance competitive pricing with quality service on longer-haul flights such as this new route?

— We achieve this through cost discipline, efficient aircraft utilisation, and scale. By keeping non-essential costs low and maximising seat configurations, such as offering both economy and Premium Flatbeds, we ensure guests get the best value for their money. Our average fares are up to 30–50% lower than legacy carriers while maintaining a strong performance and safety record.

— What sustainability or environmental considerations does AirAsia X integrate into its expansion and operations, especially on new international routes?

— We operate a modern fleet of Airbus A330s with efficient fuel consumption per seat. Our digital check-in and paperless boarding reduce waste, and we continue to explore carbon-offsetting programmes and fuel-saving initiatives.

Our route planning also optimises fuel burn, which is critical as we scale up responsibly across Asia and Central Asia.