A Malaysian budget airline has delayed the debut of a new international flight route because of ongoing tensions in the Middle East region.
AirAsia X announced Thursday that it is pushing back the start date for its planned service connecting Kuala Lumpur with Bahrain and continuing to London’s Gatwick airport. The low-cost carrier had originally targeted a June launch for the route.
The airline now anticipates beginning the service sometime between August and September, depending on how market conditions develop, according to a company statement released Thursday.
Travelers who had booked flights on the postponed route will receive either full refunds or the option to reschedule their trips, the airline said.
Despite the delay, the budget carrier emphasized its ongoing commitment to establishing operations in Bahrain, though officials said they must take a cautious approach given current circumstances.
“Bahrain continues to play an important role in our long-term growth plans and regional connectivity strategy, and we remain focused on launching services to both Bahrain and London Gatwick when the operating environment is better aligned with our operational and commercial objectives,” said AirAsia General Manager Benyamin Ismail.
The airline has faced significant financial challenges recently due to fluctuating fuel costs. Earlier this year, AirAsia reported quarterly losses after being forced to reduce its flight schedule by 10% and implement fuel surcharges of approximately 20%.
