AirAsia X’s revived route between London Gatwick and the Malaysian capital will now include a stopover in Bahrain, the airline confirmed. The low-cost long-haul carrier is set to resume flights between London and Kuala Lumpur this summer, offering travellers a new connection via the Middle Eastern hub.

From 26 June 2026, passengers will be able to fly between Gatwick and Kuala Lumpur International Airport with a layover in Bahrain. Stopover times will range from 90 minutes to two hours, bringing the total journey to approximately 16 and a half hours.

The airline has announced promotional fares booked before 22 February for travel between 26 June and 30 November starting at €85 one-way. However, current ticket searches show the lowest available fares for this period at around €185 one-way from London to Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia X has been steadily expanding its long-haul network. In mid-November, the airline introduced a direct service between Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Kuala Lumpur, a flight taking roughly 10 and a half hours.

The London route marks a return to Europe after more than a decade. AirAsia X previously operated direct flights from London and Paris Orly to Kuala Lumpur, but these were discontinued in 2012 due to rising jet fuel prices, higher taxes, and declining demand. Since then, the airline’s leadership, including CEO Tony Fernandes, expressed interest in restoring European services, with plans gradually materialising over the past few years.

Fernandes, now CEO of Capital A, AirAsia’s parent company, described Bahrain as a “strategic hub” for the airline’s European operations. “This is a defining step in the next phase of AAX’s growth,” he said. “Bahrain as our strategic aviation hub allows us to connect Asia with the Middle East and Europe more effectively while creating a scalable platform for future growth. Looking ahead, we will deepen partnerships with airports, tourism authorities and industry stakeholders to unlock new demand corridors.”

The airline has not disclosed which additional European destinations it may target next. Currently, AirAsia X serves around 150 destinations, covering cities in Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, reflecting its wide-reaching network across Asia and beyond.

The relaunch of the London-Kuala Lumpur route with a Bahrain stopover signals AirAsia X’s renewed commitment to long-haul operations in Europe, combining affordability with strategic connectivity. For travellers seeking low-cost options on intercontinental flights, the route offers a competitive alternative to traditional carriers, while providing access to the growing Gulf aviation hub.

Brazil has emerged as the fastest-growing international tourist destination in the world, closing 2025 with a record 9.3 million visitors, a 37.1 percent increase from the previous year’s 6.7 million, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The surge has been driven by new air routes, particularly from Europe, and renewed international interest in the country’s cultural, natural, and gastronomic attractions.

Tourism already contributes 8 percent of Brazil’s GDP, and international travellers brought in around €7.3 billion last year, a significant boost to the economy as the country continues to recover and reposition itself on the global stage.

Europe has played a central role in this growth. Visitors from France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain totalled 1.8 million, a 20 percent rise from 2024. Spain alone accounted for 160,000 tourists, a 92 percent increase over three years, reflecting both growing interest in Brazil and improved air connectivity.

A key factor has been the introduction of new direct flights from Europe. In 2025, Iberia launched routes linking Madrid with Fortaleza in Ceará and Recife in Pernambuco, providing direct access to Brazil’s northeast, a region celebrated for its beaches, culture, and hospitality. These routes complement existing flights from Madrid and Barcelona to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Campinas, reinforcing Lisbon and Porto as major European hubs for Brazilian travel.

São Paulo remains the country’s main entry point, hosting more than 2.7 million international visitors, followed by Rio de Janeiro with nearly 2.2 million and Rio Grande do Sul with 1.5 million.

Marcelo Freixo, president of the Brazilian tourism promotion agency Embratur, said the record numbers reflect years of coordinated efforts in international promotion, infrastructure improvements, and expanded air connections. He highlighted the importance of extending direct access to the northeast, noting that it allows visitors to experience Brazil’s authentic and diverse offerings.

Freixo also linked the tourism rebound to Brazil’s regained international standing under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “Brazil is now a respected country,” he said. “You don’t visit a country that is not respected. People have no interest in visiting a country that is not respected.”

Despite the record growth, security remains a key concern for international travellers. Freixo said Brazil has made notable progress in safety and emphasized that tourism itself contributes to safer cities. According to Embratur, 95 percent of visitors expressed interest in returning. To encourage longer stays and broader exploration, initiatives such as the Brazil Air Pass allow travellers to visit up to eight domestic destinations with a single fare.

Freixo also highlighted the warmth and hospitality of Brazilians as a unique selling point. “Our main export product is not coffee, it’s joy — and we have plenty of that,” he said.

With stronger connectivity, rising international respect, and a wide array of attractions, Brazil is positioning itself as a leading global tourist destination, with Europe, particularly Spain, emerging as a key partner in this new phase.