Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Direct Flights Launch as AirAsia X Expands into Europe with Seamless Connections for Singapore Travellers

(IN SHORT) AirAsia X will begin direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul on 14 November 2025, operating four times weekly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The move represents AAX’s first step into Europe, offering travellers from Singapore and Southeast Asia seamless Fly-Thru connectivity to Türkiye’s largest city. Passengers can benefit from extensive onward connections in both regions, and Muslim travellers can take advantage of ikhlas.com’s Umrah Plus Istanbul package. The airline is celebrating the launch with promotional fares from SGD299, available for booking until 20 August 2025 for travel through October 2026. The expansion underscores AAX’s strategy to link Asia and Europe through affordable travel while boosting tourism and business opportunities.

(NEWS) SINGAPORE, 2025-Aug-12 — /Travel PR News/ — AirAsia X (AAX) is set to expand its international network with the launch of a new direct route from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul, Türkiye, beginning 14 November 2025. Operating four times a week from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), the service marks the airline’s long-awaited entry into Europe and offers travellers from Singapore seamless Fly-Thru connectivity via Kuala Lumpur. The move not only strengthens AAX’s global reach but also positions Istanbul as a strategic hub linking Southeast Asia with Europe.

The route will give passengers access to over 117 international and 40 domestic destinations from SAW, while providing travellers from Türkiye easy entry to AirAsia’s network of 130 destinations. For Singaporean passengers, the Fly-Thru service eliminates the need for baggage rechecks, streamlining travel to one of the world’s most historically and culturally rich cities. CEO Benyamin Ismail described the launch as a major milestone in the airline’s post-pandemic growth strategy, emphasising its role in connecting continents through affordable, medium-haul travel.

The new service will also support religious and cultural tourism through ikhlas.com’s Umrah Plus Istanbul packages, catering to Muslim travellers wishing to combine a pilgrimage with a visit to Istanbul’s famous landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar. In celebration of the route’s debut, promotional fares starting from SGD299 one-way are available for booking until 20 August 2025, valid for travel from 14 November 2025 to 24 October 2026 via airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.

AAX’s expansion into Istanbul reflects a broader push into new markets following recent ventures into Central Asia, reinforcing its ambition to provide cost-effective travel options that connect Asia to Europe and beyond.

AirAsia X will also launch a thrice-weekly Kuala Lumpur–Tashkent service on 15 October 2025, giving Singapore travellers Fly-Thru access to Uzbekistan. Building on the success of its Almaty route, the new service aims to strengthen tourism, trade, and cultural ties between Southeast Asia and Central Asia. Promotional one-way fares from SGD391 are available until 6 July 2025 for travel through 14 September 2026, opening the door for more visitors to explore Tashkent’s historic Silk Road sites and vibrant markets.