AirAsia X suspends flights to Uzbekistan

Image: AirAsia

Malaysian long-haul LCC AirAsia X will indefinitely suspend its Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) – Tashkent (TAS) service effective September 2. The route withdrawal is part of a broader network optimization initiative aimed at protecting long-term operational sustainability, according to an official carrier statement.

AirAsia X added that it will continue monitoring market conditions and has not ruled out a future schedule adjustment. The primary catalyst behind the network adjustments is the persistent geopolitical instability across the Middle East, which has driven up aviation fuel costs and added logistical friction to several key international corridors.

Tashkent is not the only city pair affected by the group’s capacity cuts. Operations across the broader AirAsia ecosystem are being adjusted: Thai AirAsia X has scaled back flight frequencies between Bangkok and Almaty, Kazakhstan, while Thai AirAsia is set to cancel nine domestic routes out of Bangkok starting October 1. Furthermore, AirAsia has pushed back the launch of its projected route—Kuala Lumpur to London via a Bahrain transit hub—to next year. 

AirAsia X originally entered the Malaysia–Uzbekistan market late last year. The airline temporarily froze services on the route in June; while initial plans called for a July resumption, the hiatus was extended, culminating in the formal decision to suspend operations indefinitely from September. 

Despite AirAsia X’s exit, two carriers will remain on the Kuala Lumpur–Tashkent city pair. In addition to direct services operated by Malaysia’s Batik Air, Uzbek flag carrier Uzbekistan Airways serves the market. To absorb the displaced passenger capacity, Uzbekistan Airways will ramp up its schedules from late October, doubling its route frequency from two to four weekly flights.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: SunExpress expands Central Asian footprint.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: Uzbekistan airports post 15.5% passenger growth in H1 2026.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: Samarkand airport operator earns ISAGO accreditation—a first for private aviation firms in Uzbekistan.