Since its first flight in Nov. 2, 2007, AirAsia X, the long-distance arm of the region’s biggest budget carrier, has flown over 1.8 million passengers between Kuala Lumpur and Gold Coast.

From the initial four weekly flights, the airline now flies 11 times a week between the two cities.

Kuala Lumpur-Gold Coast was AirAsia X’s very first route before Melbourne and Perth were added a year later, followed by Sydney in 2012.

 “We have grown from strength to strength since our inception in 2007, having flown more than 30 million passengers to over 25 destinations in different regions, including more than 12 million guests to and from Australia alone,” AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail told a gathering at Skypoint’s private function.

He said the company’s growth focus would be on tapping underserved markets and high-traffic routes.

Executive General Manager of Business Development and Marketing at Queensland Airports Paul Donovan said AirAsia X was Gold Coast airport’s first long-haul international carrier to Asia when they started operating 10 years ago.

“That was a game changing moment and it gave Gold Coasters an affordable and convenient travel option to Asia and, just as importantly, put the growing Asian market within easy reach for us,” he said.

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said that air connectivity remains the most important factor in driving demand out of Asia. AirAsia X has provided a valuable gateway to the Gold Coast, ferrying international passengers from Asia and New Zealand, both important sources of visitors.

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