AirAsia X to Suspend Nairobi Route Citing Low Travel Demand
AirAsia X (AAX) has announced it will suspend its direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi effective September 1, 2025, less than a year after launching the route. The decision comes in response to lower-than-expected travel demand as part of the airline’s network optimization strategy.
In a statement, AAX said: “Effective September 1, 2025, AirAsia X (flight code D7) will suspend flights between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi as part of its network optimization initiative in response to lower demand.”
The Kuala Lumpur–Nairobi route, launched on November 15, 2024, marked the airline’s entry into East Africa and was intended to enhance trade, tourism, and business ties between Asia and Africa. The service, which operated four times a week, was the only direct air link between Malaysia and the African continent.
Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, had previously described the Nairobi route as a key part of the airline’s growth plans, with expectations of carrying over 156,000 passengers annually to strengthen bilateral ties and boost tourism.
Affected passengers have been notified and offered several service recovery options, including a full refund, a travel credit, or a free-of-charge flight change for travel before August 31, 2025. Customers can access these options via the airline’s chatbot, Bo.
The airline stated that it will continue to monitor customer demand and adjust its network to remain profitable while offering affordable travel options.
