Due to ongoing geopolitical unrest in the Middle East, AirAsia X (D7) has postponed the debut of its fifth-freedom route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) via Bahrain International Airport (BAH) to London Gatwick (LGW) from Aug. 27, 2026, to late 1Q27. The airline has not confirmed a specific date within that timeframe and stated that the revised launch is still dependent on market and operational considerations.
A route stalled twice by regional conflict
The renewed delay follows a July escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran, resulting in drone activity and airstrikes that affected other nations in the region. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency advised operators against using the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates at any altitude, citing risks from missiles, drones, combat aircraft, and air defence systems, with the advisory extended to Aug. 31, 2026.
Using A330-300 aircraft, AirAsia X had intended to run the route four times a week; starting Nov. 2, 2026, that number would rise to daily. Once the regional war started to interfere with planning, the frequency had already been lowered from the originally advertised daily service to four times weekly.
Bahrain hub plan pushed back, not shelved
When announced in February, the route was pitched as AirAsia X’s first international hub outside the Asia-Pacific, combining Southeast Asian traffic with Gulf and European demand and including a fifth-freedom Bahrain-London sector, only the airline’s second such operation. The project, which would have marked AirAsia X’s return to the UK market after its previous long-haul low-cost attempt ended more than ten years ago, was regarded by Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes as a crucial phase in the carrier’s international expansion.
Despite this year’s second setback, AirAsia X says Bahrain is still part of its long-term network strategy. Only the carrier’s next update will reveal whether it can stick to the revised March 2027 window.
With the route delayed twice, how much weight do you put on airline launch dates before booking long-haul travel? Let us know in the comments below.
