World’s premier budget airline AirAsia has started operating daily flights to Maldives on a larger Airbus A330 aircraft.
An official from AirAsia’s local agent All H Maldives told local media on Tuesday that the Malaysian airline increased its frequency on the Kuala Lumpur-Male route last month. For a month-long period starting this month, AirAsia is also deploying its Airbus A330 aircraft in view of strong demand from travellers travelling to and from the Maldives, he added.
“The new aircraft bumps flight capacity from 180 to 377,” the official said.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, AirAsia also confirmed the deployment of its Airbus A330 aircraft to fly direct to both the Maldives and Macao for a month.
The airline has also announced promotional fares of as low as RM169 (USD39) one way on economy seats and RM599 (USD136) on premium flatbeds from Kuala Lumpur to Maldives. Bookings are available from now until April 23 for the travel period from April 19 to May 18.
“Our flights to Maldives and Macao are strong performers and we are pleased to increase the capacity by deploying our Airbus A330 for the period of one month to improve the travel options for guests heading to these two hot destinations,” said AirAsia Commercial Head Spencer Lee.
“This Airbus A330 will provide an increase of 197 seats per flight. We urge guests to use this opportunity to grab the hot deals with more seats, greater values and more services offered.”
AirAsia began flight operations to the Maldives in October 2015 with thrice a week service. The airline offers a low-cost option for travellers coming to the Maldives especially from South East Asia and for locals who often visit Malaysia for higher eduction and during holiday.
South East Asia has posted strong gains in tourist arrivals to the Maldives with a 10 percent increase in the first two months of this year. AirAsia’s added capacity and frequency is expected to boost arrivals from the region, as well as benefit tourists from other parts of the world who arrive in the Maldives via Kuala Lumpur.