AirAsia X will resume European flights after a 13-year hiatus, launching a nonstop Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport service on Nov. 17, 2025. Operating four times weekly with Airbus A330 300, the route marks a pivotal step in AirAsia's goal to become a global low-cost carrier (LCC). 

The airline previously served London and Paris but ceased European operations in 2012 due to high costs, including the EU Emissions Trading System and UK Air Passenger Duty taxes. This return aligns with AirAsia X broader long-haul expansion strategy, targeting markets like North America. 

In July 2025, the airline ordered 50 A321XLR aircrafts, with options for 20 more, to support its growth. AirAsia co-founder and Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes described the move as part of a "transformative journey" to create the world's first low-cost network carrier, extending connectivity beyond Asean. 

AirAsia X will compete with Turkish Airlines, which operates 18 weekly flights between Istanbul Airport and Kuala Lumpur, offering 11,700 two-way seats. The Istanbul route follows AirAsia X expansion into Central Asia, with a Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent service starting Oct. 15, 2025, at three weekly flights. However, its Nairobi route, launched in summer 2024, will be suspended in September 2025 due to low demand. AirAsia X currently operates 18 A330 300s, with 14 A330 900s and 20 A321neos on order, per CAPA Fleet Database.