KUALA LUMPUR, 8 November 2023: AirAsia X confirms it will resume its Gold Coast – Auckland route from 3 February 2024 in response to rising travel demand.
At the same time, the airline will suspend services on the Auckland – Sydney route from 31 January 2024 to facilitate the new services to and from the Gold Coast.
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail commented: “Following a thorough network review, we have decided to suspend our services between Sydney and Auckland from late January next year. However, we remain committed to Auckland as a destination and will transfer our services from Auckland to Gold Coast starting 3 February 2024.
“Our first route that commenced just over 16 years ago, the Gold Coast continues to be a key leisure favourite destination for our Auckland and Asian travellers with its world-renowned white sand beaches and famous theme parks. It’s also a hugely popular destination for visiting friends and family both ways and also for students studying.
The AirAsia X CEO hinted the airline was monitoring the situation, and if demand picks up, the Sydney – Auckland service could return at a later date.
“However, for now, and as a leisure-focused airline, we are seeing more demand across the Tasman to and from the Gold Coast.”
Queensland Airports Limited Chief Commercial Officer Adam Rowe said the return of AirAsia X’s Gold Coast to Auckland connection would provide more options for travellers.
“This is a welcomed addition to our network and exciting news for travellers – flights between the Gold Coast and Auckland are our busiest international connection, with more than 220,000 passengers travelling on that route since January,” he said.
“Around 60% of passengers travelling between the Gold Coast and New Zealand fly to or from Auckland, and the return of this service will add more than 350,000 extra seats annually,” Rowe said.
Three weekly flights from Auckland to Gold Coast are scheduled from 3 February, connecting seamlessly to Kuala Lumpur and adding 6,786 visitor seats weekly through Gold Coast airport.
Fares are now available starting at AUD199/NZ179 for travel between Auckland and the Gold Coast commencing 3 February 2024.
AirAsia X continues to witness strong demand for services on many existing routes and has recently increased flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth to Kuala Lumpur. Sister airline Thai AirAsia X will reinstate the popular Flatbeds on flights from 27 November between Sydney and Bangkok. Indonesia AirAsia has recently increased frequencies on the Perth – Bali route to fly up to four times daily.
More flights on existing popular routes and new destinations are under review. They will be announced as the airline continues its growth strategy across the Asia Pacific. AirAsia X connects to the broader AirAsia Group network from Australia and New Zealand via its main hub in Kuala Lumpur to over 130 destinations across Asia, including India, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Flight Schedule:
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Gold Coast (OOL) – Auckland (AKL) schedule effective 02/03 Feb24
