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AirAsia Appoints Bahrain Board and Targets March 2027 Flight Launch

AirAsia has appointed a board of directors for its Bahrain operations as it advances plans to establish the kingdom as a hub connecting Asia with the Middle East, Europe, and Australia. The carrier is targeting the launch of passenger flights to Bahrain by March 2027, subject to regional conditions. The initiative is supported by a Bahrain Golden Licence and includes planned aircraft maintenance capabilities alongside cargo operations.

Published Source: Travel Daily News Asia-Pacific
Illustration: A realistic editorial photograph of a modern commercial airport apron in the Middle East at dusk, showing a passenger airliner parked at
Illustration

AirAsia has announced the board of directors for its Bahrain venture, marking a governance milestone in its plans to build a regional hub connecting Southeast Asia with the Middle East, Europe, and Australia. The board is chaired by Dr. Serra Kirdar, with Dato' Fam Lee Ee serving as vice-chairman. Other non-executive directors appointed to the board include Dr. Faisal Khalid Kanoo, Nawaf Al Zayani, Akram Safa, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, and Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim.

Capital A chief executive officer Tony Fernandes stated that the group remains committed to Bahrain despite regional geopolitical uncertainties that required adjustments to initial timelines. The airline is currently targeting the commencement of passenger flights to Bahrain by March 2027, provided regional conditions allow, though specific flight schedules, destinations, and ticket sale dates have not yet been announced.

The initiative builds on a November 2025 Letter of Intent signed between Capital A and Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, as well as a Golden Licence granted by the Bahrain government to support the group's regional investments.

In addition to passenger services, Capital A plans to develop aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Bahrain through its unit Asia Digital Engineering (ADE). Its logistics subsidiary, Teleport, which has operated twice-weekly freighter services to Bahrain since February 2026, is also scaling up air cargo capacity.

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