AirAsia aims to propel KLIA as world’s leading aviation mega hub and position ASEAN as the next Dubai

SEPANG, Oct 15 – AirAsia has reaffirmed its commitment to driving ASEAN connectivity and elevating the region’s status as a global transit point, much like how Dubai is recognised for international air travel and trade.

In a statement Tuesday, the budget carrier said it is dedicated to positioning Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as the world’s premier aviation hub.

This follows the overwhelming approval at Capital A Bhd’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) yesterday regarding the proposed disposal of its aviation business to AirAsia X Bhd.  

Capital A chief executive officer and advisor to AirAsia Aviation Group Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the EGM results are a monumental step toward creating a powerful aviation group and transforming KLIA into the world’s leading aviation megahub.

He expressed gratitude to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for their long-standing friendship and partnership, which has been instrumental in AirAsia’s journey to grow KLIA into a world-class aviation hub. 

“With the consolidation of our aviation businesses and a stronger focus on aviation services, we are unlocking massive growth opportunities and ensuring that ASEAN becomes the next Dubai in global air travel,” Fernandes said.

KLIA, ranked as the second most connected airport in the world after London Heathrow by the 2024 OAG Megahubs Index, has over 14,500 possible low-cost connections across 137 destinations, largely through AirAsia’s expansive network. 

OAG, the data platform for the global travel industry, also highlighted that AirAsia and AirAsia X operate 43 per cent of all flights at KLIA and account for 74 per cent of the airport’s total low-cost carrier (LCC) capacity, reinforcing Kuala Lumpur’s dominance over regional hubs such as Singapore and Bangkok.

Meanwhile, OAG Aviation head of Asia, Mayur Patel said AirAsia’s strategic growth plan positions it well to support the airport’s role as a leading aviation hub and elevate Asean as a global transit point.

Capital A’s EGM yesterday saw 99.97 per cent of its shareholders vote in favour of the proposed disposal, paving the way for Capital A’s restructuring and to exit Practice Note 17 (PN17) status.