AirAsia X Berhad, operating as AirAsia X (formerly FlyAsianXpress Sdn. Bhd.) is a Malaysian long-haul, low-cost airline and a subsidiary of the AirAsia Group. It was established in 2006 as FlyAsianXpress Sdn. Bhd. (FAX), initially operating regional routes under Malaysia's Rural Air Service before transitioning into a long-haul, low-cost carrier. The airline was rebranded as AirAsia X in 2007 and commenced its first international flight in November 2007, connecting Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast, Australia.
The airline expanded its network across Asia, Australia and Europe, and was listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2013. Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, AirAsia X underwent a restructuring of its operations and finances before gradually rebuilding its network. In 2026, the airline was consolidated with AirAsia under a unified structure and renamed AirAsia Group Bhd, ending AirAsia X's existence as a separate corporate entity.
FAX faced several operational challenges, including low passenger demand on some routes, maintenance issues and flight disruptions. In April 2007, AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes proposed transferring the RAS operations to Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, which had greater experience in regional turboprop operations. Following government approval, the transfer was completed on 26 April 2007, with the RAS network subsequently transferred to MASwings, a new subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines established to operate rural services in East Malaysia.
Following its withdrawal from the RAS network, FAX shifted its focus towards long-haul, low-cost operations. The airline was rebranded as AirAsia X in September 2007, marking its transition into a long-haul affiliate of the AirAsia network. The name was reportedly inspired by Yoshiki, the leader of Japanese rock band X Japan. To support its establishment, the airline secured investment from Virgin Group, which acquired a 20% stake in AirAsia X to support aircraft acquisition and operational expansion.
AirAsia X
Former AirAsia X logo, used from 2007 to 2022.
2007–2010: Launch of AirAsia X and early expansion
Following its transition from FlyAsianXpress, the airline was rebranded as AirAsia X in September 2007, adopting a long-haul, low-cost carrier model within the AirAsia network. On 15 September 2007, the airline received its first aircraft at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The aircraft, an Airbus A330, was named "Semangat Sir Freddie" ("Spirit of Sir Freddie") in honour of Sir Freddie Laker, a pioneer of low-cost aviation and founder of the Skytrain service.
AirAsia X commenced its first scheduled service on 2 November 2007, operating from Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast Airport, Australia. Following the launch of its initial route, the airline expanded its international network between 2008 and 2009, adding destinations in Australia, including Melbourne and Perth, as well as Hangzhou, China.
After experiencing early success, AirAsia X faced significant challenges starting in 2010. Rising fuel costs and intensified competition in the long-haul sector pressured the airline's profitability and cost management. In 2012, AirAsia X had to withdraw from several unprofitable routes, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Paris, London, Tianjin, and Tehran, but launched flights to Sydney and Beijing.
In 2013, AirAsia X launched an initial public offering (IPO) on the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange, raising MYR 988 million (US$310 million). The company acquired more Airbus A330 aircraft to strengthen its long-haul network. By 2015, the airline had introduced new destinations, including Sapporo, Japan.
The expansion continued into 2017, with AirAsia X launching flights to Honolulu, Hawaii, in June and Jeju, South Korea, in December. In 2018, the airline moved its Melbourne operations to Avalon Airport to reduce costs. 2019, the airline had added several new international routes from Kuala Lumpur, including services to Fukuoka, Lanzhou, Taipei, Osaka, Tokyo (Narita) and Singapore.
2020–2025: COVID-19, restructuring and consolidation
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused significant disruption to global air travel, resulting in AirAsia X suspending scheduled passenger operations in March 2020. The suspension placed financial pressure on the airline, leading to the commencement of a debt restructuring process in October 2020.
AirAsia X completed its debt restructuring in March 2022 following court approval and gradually resumed services from April 2022, initially restoring flights to Seoul and Delhi. The airline continued rebuilding its network as international travel demand recovered, carrying more than 2.8 million passengers in 2023. During this period, AirAsia X expanded its network with the introduction of services to Nairobi, Kenya and Almaty, Kazakhstan.
In December 2024, AirAsia announced plans to consolidate its long-haul and short-haul operations under a single airline group structure. The consolidation formed part of a broader restructuring of its parent company, Capital A Berhad. Following the completion of the integration, AirAsia X was renamed AirAsia Group Bhd in July 2026. The move ended AirAsia X's status as a separate corporate entity, with its operations incorporated into AirAsia's unified network.
In 2009, AirAsia X placed an order for 10 Airbus A350-900 aircraft but canceled the order in April 2018 due to rising prices. During a business forum in Manila in February 2018, Tony Fernandes revealed that the airline was considering the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for fleet expansion. However, a month later, the decision was made not to pursue the Boeing aircraft.
By September 2018, reports indicated that AirAsia X was exploring the use of Airbus A321neo and A321LR aircraft alongside its Airbus A330 fleet. The airline believed that using narrow-body aircraft on shorter routes, with a maximum flight time of 7.9 hours, could result in cost savings of up to 16% on variable costs and 5% on fixed costs.
In March 2020, AirAsia X announced that the delivery of its Airbus A330-900 aircraft would be delayed indefinitely. This decision was made in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by June 2022, the airline confirmed its commitment to receiving Airbus A330neos and A321XLRs, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026, as it gradually resumed operations after a two-year hiatus. However, in early 2026, the airline cancelled their order of the fifteen Airbus A330-900 as part of the company's reorganisation and intention to exit widebody operations, and transition to an all all-narrowbody operation consisting of the Airbus A321s.
Corporate affairs
Headquarters and corporate office
KLIA LCCT, which housed the AirAsia X head office prior to the opening of RedQuarters
The head office and registered office of AirAsia X are currently located at the RedQ facility at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 in Sepang, Selangor. The airline's previous head office was at the LCC Terminal at KLIA, while its registered office was situated on Level 12 of Menara Prima Tower B in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
AirAsia X had planned to relocate to a new 613,383-square-foot (56,985.1m2) facility at klia2, which was completed to house around 2,000 AirAsia and AirAsia X employees. The new headquarters, known as "RedQuarters" or "RedQ," was named by Filipinaflight attendant January Ann Baysa, and its groundbreaking ceremony took place in November 2014.
Cost structure and operational efficiency
AirAsia X operates with one of the lowest costs among long-haul airlines globally, with a Cost per Available Seat-Kilometre (CASK) of US$0.0351 in 2015, or US$0.0240 excluding fuel costs. This enables the airline to offer fares 30 to 50% lower than traditional long-haul carriers. The airline also collaborates with its affiliate, AirAsia, to streamline operations, such as staff management, fuel hedging, marketing and computer systems, benefiting from economies of scale typically unavailable to smaller airlines.
The entry of two major investors provided AirAsia X with crucial financial support for its future expansion plans. This investment was aimed at assisting the airline's growth and development.
As of 14 February 2008, Aero Ventures, a venture involving Tony Fernandes, other prominent Malaysians and Air Canada's Robert Milton, owned 48% of AirAsia X. Virgin Group held a 16% stake, while AirAsia owned an additional 16%. Bahrain-based Manara Consortium and Japan's Orix Corp acquired a combined 20% stake in AirAsia X for RM250 million.
AirAsia X was listed on Bursa Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange) on 10 July 2013, with shares offered to both individual and institutional investors at MYR1.25 (approximately US$0.39) per share. The listing raised MYR988 million (US$310 million at 2013 exchange rates) and valued the company at MYR3 billion (US$940 million). The shares performed poorly on their first day, closing unchanged and recording what Bloomberg described as the "second-worst trading debut in Malaysia" that year. As of 10 October 2016, shares were priced at MYR0.39, giving the company a market value of MYR1.62 billion (US$390 million at 2016 exchange rates). As of 10 October 2016, shares of AirAsia X Berhad were trading at MYR0.39, giving the company a market value of MYR1.62 billion (US$390 million at 2016 exchange rates).
According to data from Bloomberg cited by The Edge in February 2022, the largest shareholder of AirAsia X Berhad was Tune Group, a private investment vehicle owned by Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun, holding a 17.8% stake. The two collectively held an indirect stake of 31.59%, with Capital A, the parent company of AirAsia, owning an additional 13.8%.
Indonesia AirAsia X was the medium and long-haul division of Indonesia AirAsia, operating cost-efficient services with shared ticketing, aircraft livery, and management style. It initially served medium-haul routes from Bali to Mumbai and Tokyo, and short-haul flights from Jakarta, Denpasar and Surabaya. However, it faced disruptions, including the cancellation of its Melbourne route in 2014 due to lack of government approval, and ended its Taipei route in September 2015.
In late 2018, the airline announced it would cease scheduled operations by January 2019, transitioning to non-scheduled services. It ultimately ceased all operations and was liquidated on 17 October 2020 as part of AirAsia's restructuring.
Thai AirAsia X
Airbus A330-343 of Thai AirAsia X at Sydney Airport, August 2023.
Thai AirAsia X, a joint venture between AirAsia and Thai entrepreneurs Tassapon Bijleveld and Julpas Krueospon, was established on 18 September 2013, with AirAsia holding a 49% stake. The airline, as the long-haul arm of Thai AirAsia, commenced operations in June 2014 with its first flight to Seoul and expanded to other destinations such as Osaka and Tokyo. It operates with shared systems, aircraft livery, and management styles, benefiting from cost efficiencies.
In December 2016, Thai AirAsia X ended its Middle East routes, and in August 2019, it took delivery of its first Airbus A330neo. After facing disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a suspension of domestic flights in 2021, the airline announced in 2022 that it would relocate its operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport and filed for bankruptcy, which did not affect its ongoing services.
↑"2020/2021 Annual Report"(PDF). AirAsia X. p.3/221. Retrieved 22 May 2022. REGISTERED OFFICE [...] HEAD OFFICE RedQ Jalan Pekeliling 5 Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (klia2) 64000 KLIA Selangor Darul Ehsan
↑"AirAsia X Berhad • Annual Report 2014" (Archive). AirAsia X. Retrieved on 2 February 2015. p. 20 (PDF p. 49/234): "REGISTERED OFFICE AirAsia X Berhad (Company No. 734161-K) B-13-15, Level 13 Menara Prima Tower B Jalan PJU 1/39, Dataran Prima 47301 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia" and "HEAD OFFICE LCC Terminal Jalan KLIA S3, Southern Support Zone KLIA, 64000 Sepang Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia"
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