AirAsia Bets on Bahrain for Its Middle East Hub – Is a New York Route Next?
Photo Credit: Tony Fernandes speaking at the Skift Global Forum 2025. Skift
Skift Take
This isn’t Tony Fernandes’ first attempt to connect far-flung destinations – but with new aircraft, digital tools, and a multi-hub strategy, he’s betting AirAsia can finally crack a market that eluded him a decade ago.
Bahrain has emerged as the frontrunner in the battle to be AirAsia's new Middle East hub, according to a new letter of intent with the country's transport ministry.
While Bahrain had been in the mix, earlier speculation for the new hub centered on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, including Ras Al Khaimah.
“This partnership is a game-changer,” said Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, AirAsia's parent company. “With our aviation restructuring soon to be complete, both Capital A and AirAsia are stepping into another bold and disruptive chapter of global growth, and Bahrain will be a powerful launchpad for us in the Middle East.”
The provisional agreement sets out the ambitious scale for what AirAsia hopes to achieve in Bahrain. According to the letter of intent, AirAsia will explore launching flights from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, ultimately with onward connections to Europe and North America.
By 2030, more than 25 da
