Air Asia drops SYD-KUL

[markis10]

From Australian Aviation

AirAsia X will axe its Sydney-Kuala Lumpur route to redeploy capacity elsewhere in Australia.
The low-cost carrier has cited “increased cost pressures, softer demand and the need to strategically align the airline’s network and fleet” in its decision to suspend the A330 flights between Sydney and the Malaysian capital, with Melbourne and Perth to see increased services instead

From December 2026, Perth-Denpasar services will increase to 35 flights per week, while the strong performance of Melbourne-Kuala Lumpur will see the route return to daily services. Perth-Kuala Lumpur has also experienced significant growth, with frequencies set to steadily increase to 14 flights per week.

 

[kpc]

That is a shame!

Wonder if we will see Kul-Wsi vv when it returns. Presumably landing costs at Syd have gone up a lot!

 

[moa999]

Wow. Very surprising - and a big boost to OD (Batik Malaysia) and MH.

Recently booked a daytime KUL-SYD flight back after the hastily arranged Malaysia by Bahrain F1 and it wasn't particularly cheap.

 

[Saab34]

They seem to be after more finance also. The fact they are offloading NEOs to other operators also highlights they have a cash issue. The Indo and Phil offshoots have been scaled back considerably.

Crazy to think they have 400 A321s and 150 A220s on order.

In 2018 they ordered 100 A330Neos. 2 got delivered, then got re leased elsewhere. That order got cancelled. Seems like they ordered the A350 also in 2009, that plan got cancelled a decade later.

 

[LionKing]

AirAsia drops Sydney-Kuala Lumpur flights

The low-cost carrier has cited “increased cost pressures, softer demand and the need to strategically align the airline’s network and fleet” in its decision to suspend the A330 flights between Sydney and the Malaysian capital, with Melbourne and Perth to see increased services instead.

australianaviation.com.au

It is sad that AirAsia is dropping SYD, which means Malaysians are losing a great option to go home.

I am concerned this would have a negative impact to reward availability on MH moving forward.

 

[moa999]

They seem to be after more finance also

Losing money, and the share price has continued to drop this year after the AAX merger.

AirAsia Group posts RM527m 2Q net loss, to cut capacity by up to 25% in 3Q

AirAsia Group Bhd (KL:AAGB), formerly known as AirAsia X Bhd, posted a second quarter net loss, weighed down by a surge in jet fuel prices amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, along with foreign exchange losses.

theedgemalaysia.com

MCap now US$670m, about half that of VIrgin Aus as a comparison.

 

[AIRwin]

Another route cancellation:

AirAsia X Cancels Delhi Service From late-Oct 2026 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1600PDT / 2300GMT 24AUG26 AirAsia X today (24AUG26) announced the cancellation of Kuala Lumpur – Delhi route, as the airline cancels service from 25OCT26, the launch of Northern winter 2026/27 season. The airline currently operates this route 4 times weekly with Airbus A330-300 airc

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[Saab34]

Talk that they are going down to 9/10 A330s with the remainder to exit by 2029.

I’d imagine Melbourne/Sydney will disappear all together eventually unless they run a XLR.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

AirAsia drops Sydney-Kuala Lumpur flights

The low-cost carrier has cited “increased cost pressures, softer demand and the need to strategically align the airline’s network and fleet” in its decision to suspend the A330 flights between Sydney and the Malaysian capital, with Melbourne and Perth to see increased services instead.

australianaviation.com.au

It is sad that AirAsia is dropping SYD, which means Malaysians are losing a great option to go home.

I am concerned this would have a negative impact to reward availability on MH moving forward.

Obviously ‘not’ a great option if they are dropping the route! Demand/profit wasn’t there.

 

[markis10]

Obviously ‘not’ a great option if they are dropping the route! Demand/profit wasn’t there.

Batik started their A330 service today, make of that what you will

 

[clifford]

Batik started their A330 service today, make of that what you will

Same owner? But maybe slightly better financed.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Same owner? But maybe slightly better financed.

My understanding is Batik is owned by Lion. Air Asia is a different owner.

 

[elanshin]

AirAsia drops Sydney-Kuala Lumpur flights

The low-cost carrier has cited “increased cost pressures, softer demand and the need to strategically align the airline’s network and fleet” in its decision to suspend the A330 flights between Sydney and the Malaysian capital, with Melbourne and Perth to see increased services instead.

australianaviation.com.au

It is sad that AirAsia is dropping SYD, which means Malaysians are losing a great option to go home.

I am concerned this would have a negative impact to reward availability on MH moving forward.

I hope that's a sarcastic great. Air asia widebody is solidly on my no fly unless i have no choice list. Its diabolical and because of what they've done, you now have to watch out for a bunch of other airlines that have bought their a330s.

Ill happily fly narrow body for 6.5h over that abomination of an a330 layout.

 

[AIRwin]

Another route cancellation:

AirAsia X Cancels Delhi Service From late-Oct 2026 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1600PDT / 2300GMT 24AUG26 AirAsia X today (24AUG26) announced the cancellation of Kuala Lumpur – Delhi route, as the airline cancels service from 25OCT26, the launch of Northern winter 2026/27 season. The airline currently operates this route 4 times weekly with Airbus A330-300 airc

www.aeroroutes.com

ICN route not cancelled but transferred from D7 on A330 to AK on A321LR:

AirAsia X Moves KL – Seoul Service to AirAsia in NW26 — AeroRoutes

Published at 2000PDT 26AUG26 / 0300GMT 27AUG26 AirAsia X this week continues to adjust operational network, with Kuala Lumpur – Seoul Incheon service to be transferred to AirAsia from 25OCT26. AirAsia’s A321LR to serve this route on daily basis, replacing AirAsia X A330-300. AK620 KUL2240 – 062

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[markis10]

Read a review on Facebook of an Air Asia KUL-SYD flight, very lightly loaded and cost was $150++ one way.

 

[Saab34]

Read a review on Facebook of an Air Asia KUL-SYD flight, very lightly loaded and cost was $150++ one way.

The market has likely shifted over time. Back in the day they really had the low cost market share to themselves into Asia. Now we have the likes of Cebu, Scoot, Batik and now Trinity, and likely others I have not mentioned. Not to mention all the Chinese carriers who offer good value.

The premium push is another factor. I think many value the extra few hundred to fly with a Legacy in Y.

 

[markis10]

The premium push is another factor. I think many value the extra few hundred to fly with a Legacy in Y.

Same article mentioned MH dropped to match day later.

 

[moa999]

Read a review on Facebook of an Air Asia KUL-SYD flight, very lightly loaded and cost was $150++ one way.

Ridiculous pricing for that leg. I'm paying I think 4x that all in after the KL by Bahrain F1 GP.. but it was still well under half the price of MH, and no rewards available, taking QF1 up to SIN.

 

[kpc]

Read a review on Facebook of an Air Asia KUL-SYD flight, very lightly loaded and cost was $150++ one way.

Few years ago I booked Kul-Syd for A$180 all in incl seat selection, 23 Kg checked luggage and 2 hot meals.

Unless the plane is 95%+ full, hard to see how they can make a profit!

 

[Saab34]

No surprises after more cash.

AIRASIA Group Bhd (KL:AAGB), formerly known as AirAsia X Bhd, is seeking to raise at least US$1 billion (RM4.03 billion) from the international debt market, sources say, as the budget airline moves to shore up liquidity amid surging fuel costs and mounting losses following the Iran war.
The fundraising comes after two consecutive quarterly losses as the airline faces mounting pressure from higher jet fuel prices and foreign exchange (forex) losses.

An AirAsia spokesperson did not directly comment on the fundraising plans, saying: “Should there be any material developments or official announcements to be made, we will disclose them through the proper channels and regulatory filings in due course.”
According to sources, Singapore-based specialist advisory firm Alton Aviation Consultancy has been appointed to assist AirAsia in securing the proposed US$1 billion financing from the international debt market.

AirAsia Group said to turn to international debt market to raise US$1 bil

AIRASIA Group Bhd (KL:AAGB), formerly known as AirAsia X Bhd, is seeking to raise at least US$1 billion (RM4.03 billion) from the international debt market, sources say, as the budget airline moves to shore up liquidity amid surging fuel costs and mounting losses following the Iran war.

theedgemalaysia.com