KUALA LUMPUR, AirAsia X Bhd is set to expand its fleet with smaller, more efficient aircraft as part of its medium-haul growth strategy, with deliveries of new Airbus models expected in the second half of 2026 (2H2026).
Chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said the airline will take delivery of the Airbus A321neo and A321LR aircraft, which are designed for routes lasting between five and seven hours — ideal for expanding connectivity within the Asia-Pacific region.
“These aircraft will allow us to explore new destinations such as Busan in South Korea, Adelaide and Darwin in Australia, as well as several secondary cities in China,” he said during a media trip for the airline’s inaugural flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The carrier launched its first service to Tashkent on Oct 15, offering three weekly flights between Malaysia and Uzbekistan’s capital. This marks AirAsia X’s second route to Central Asia, following the launch of flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in March 2024.
Benyamin added that the airline is also focused on increasing flight frequencies across its existing destinations, driven by continued strong demand.
“In Australia, we’re working on offering more consistent flight schedules, while China has rebounded strongly, so we’re ramping up capacity there,” he said, noting that demand for Japan and South Korea also remains solid.
He said AirAsia X’s recent operational performance has been encouraging, with the airline maintaining a healthy average load factor of 84%, reflecting a strong post-pandemic recovery.