AirAsia X could switch its future Europe/Asia hub from Bahrain to Istanbul
Bahrain could lose its role as AirAsia X’s planned intercontinental hub in response to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf.
In February, the Malaysian low-cost airlines group unveiled ambitious plans to turn Bahrain into its first major hub outside its core markets of Southeast Asia. The Gulf kingdom was envisioned as an ideal fifth-freedom hub linking Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa, with typical flight times ranging from five to seven hours. AirAsia X plans was to base as many as 100 aircraft in Bahrain.
However, those plans have been effectively derailed by the ongoing war between Iran, Israel and its ally, the United States. The complete closure of the Bahraini airspace and wider instability linked to the Iran conflict have made the hub unviable in the short term.
Although AirAsia X chief executive Bo Lingam told a press conference that the Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London Gatwick service (planned launch on June 26, 2026) would definitely go ahead if the war ends before that deadline, he declined to say if it would proceed in the event of a protracted conflict.
The war is forcing AirAsia X to rethink its entire long-haul expansion model and have a “Plan B”. And it could be called Istanbul. The airline mulls out to redirecting its European strategy toward Turkey, with Istanbul potentially turning into the new gateway to Europe to replace Bahrain.
AirAsia X is currently pursuing a partnership with a major Turkish carrier to secure extensive onward connectivity across Europe, something Bahrain was originally meant to provide. Behind the “very large Turkish airline” as recently quoted by Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes, is probably Pegasus Airlines. The carrier is Turkey’s largest low-cost airline with its main hub at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. It serves 127 destinations in 33 European countries and in Turkey. AirAsia X started serving last November the airport with four frequencies out of Kuala Lumpur.
Related News Stories: AirAsia X brand: to disappear or not to disappear? - Travel Mole AirAsia X to come back to Europe after 13 years - TravelMole AirAsia Group to become a single brand by December 2025 Malaysian, Thai and Vietnam carriers reduce and cancel flights in April AirAsia eyes Europe flights with Gulf airport hub - Travel Mole Europe-Asia airfares surge amid Gulf flight suspensions. - TravelMole AirAsia rolls out cruise booking platform for loyalty members Malaysia to launch Special Tourism Zones in four states - TravelMole UAE-Bahrain biometric travel system cuts airport queues - TravelMole September : a bunch of new intercontinental air routes to Asia
newadmin
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Suspension of all regional trains in Catalonia following two new rail accidents in Spain