South-east Asian budget carrier AirAsia X is to restart flights to Europe for the first time in more than a decade.
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The Malaysia-based airline will launch a new service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul¡¯s Sabiha G?k?en International Airport on 14 November, with four flights per week on the route using Airbus A330-300 aircraft.
AirAsiaX previously flew from London and Paris to Malaysia but axed these long-haul services in early 2012 due to high costs and ¡°weakening demand¡± for travel in Europe at the time.
The airline said that the launch of flights to Istanbul this winter marked its ¡°long-anticipated entry into Europe¡±.
Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, added: ¡°Hot on the heels of our recent expansion into Central Asia, this long-awaited route takes us one step closer to delivering longer connectivity across continents.
¡°This is a strategic decision that strengthens our network, creates more pathways for business collaboration, and enhances access to new experiences for travellers around the world.¡±
AirAsiaX will operate its new Istanbul-Kuala Lumpur flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.