Low-cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X is planning to open a new route to the Iranian capital Tehran from Kuala Lumpur.
Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport now appears on AirAsia’s online booking engine. Destination information about Tehran has also been added to the site but there are no details of when the new service starts, fares or frequency.
The web page reads “Another new destination, just waiting to be discovered by you! AirAsia X will be flying you to Tehran soon.”
AirAsia X operates out of Kuala Lumpur flying to medium and long-haul destinations such as Mumbai, London, Australia and mainland China.
Currently, Air flies four times a week to Kuala Lumpur and there are indirect connections between the Iranian and Malaysian capitals mainly via Dubai and Doha on Emirates and Qatar Airways.
Despite poor relations with Western countries, oil-rich Iran has been cementing trade links with southeast Asian states. In June, an Iran-Asean Trade Centre was opened in Kuala Lumpur to promote regional investment. Iran is particularly keen to develop links in the oil and gas sectors, where Malaysia also has strong interests.
AirAsia could not be reached for comment.
www.airasia.com/my/en/presignup/kulika.html
Kenny Coyle
