Casablanca – Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia X is preparing to expand its long-haul network toward North Africa, with Morocco emerging as a key potential destination. Central to this strategy is the launch of a new operational hub in Bahrain, designed to connect Southeast Asia with underserved African and European markets, providing new travel opportunities for Moroccan passengers and reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a regional gateway.

The expansion coincides with AirAsia X’s plan to relaunch its Kuala Lumpur–London route with a stopover in Bahrain, scheduled for June 2026. This service marks the airline’s return to the British capital more than a decade after it suspended direct flights and retired the Airbus A340 aircraft that previously operated the route. Strategically located between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, Bahrain will serve as AirAsia X’s first hub outside Southeast Asia, enabling the airline to expand its reach toward Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Morocco among key African destinations

Morocco is identified as one of the primary African destinations in AirAsia X’s expansion plan, alongside Egypt, Kenya, and Tanzania. Establishing Bahrain as a regional hub allows the airline to provide new connections to secondary cities that are currently poorly served by major carriers. This could create a direct link between Morocco and Southeast Asia, presenting new opportunities for tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange.

The strategy emphasizes high-frequency operations over a single flagship route, aiming to connect Bahrain with multiple destinations in Africa and Europe. By focusing on secondary cities and underserved markets, AirAsia X intends to create new travel corridors and offer alternatives to traditional Gulf and European hubs, where connectivity is often limited.

The airline plans to leverage the Airbus A321XLR, a single-aisle, long-range aircraft designed for low-cost intercontinental operations. This type of aircraft makes it feasible to operate profitable long-haul routes to secondary cities, opening the door for destinations in North Africa, including Morocco, which have historically seen limited direct connections from Southeast Asia.

Strategic timing amid growing Asia–Africa travel

The timing of AirAsia X’s expansion aligns with growing travel and commerce between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Tourism, trade, and increased student and professional mobility are driving demand along these corridors. Morocco’s geographic position at the intersection of African and European traffic flows makes it an ideal candidate for inclusion in the airline’s emerging network.

A direct connection via Bahrain would enable Morocco to tap into Southeast Asia’s growing market, complementing its ongoing economic and diplomatic initiatives across the region. Such a route could also strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a hub for connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia, attracting both leisure and business travelers.

Morocco as a regional hub and tourism gateway

For Morocco, AirAsia X’s potential expansion could enhance its role as a regional hub and increase its connectivity with major Asian markets, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The airline’s low-cost model targets budget-conscious travelers who have limited access to intercontinental flights, opening Morocco to a largely underserved segment of international travelers.

The airline’s expansion strategy does not aim to directly compete with established Gulf carriers like Emirates or Qatar Airways. Instead, it seeks to stimulate new demand by focusing on secondary destinations and emerging markets. While analysts note potential overlap with Gulf carriers on certain routes, AirAsia X’s approach relies on high-frequency, low-cost services to attract a different customer segment and create new travel corridors.

AirAsia X’s past experience in developing new traffic flows in Central Asia, including routes to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, demonstrates the airline’s ability to generate demand by introducing entirely new services. These examples illustrate the potential for Morocco to benefit from newly created connections that have historically been unavailable, providing travelers with opportunities to discover destinations previously difficult to reach.

Outlook

If AirAsia X’s plans materialize, Morocco could receive its first direct, low-cost air link to Southeast Asia, integrating the Kingdom into a growing intercontinental network. The Bahrain hub is expected to serve as a bridge between Asia, Africa, and Europe, strengthening Morocco’s position as a central node in a network of emerging low-cost intercontinental routes. This development has the potential to boost tourism, trade, and student mobility, while reinforcing Morocco’s strategic role as a regional air travel hub.