Air Asia has announced that it is likely to operate two flights per week from its operating base at Kuala Lumpur to Tehran.
Air Asia was a pioneer of low-cost flights in Asia and has an established network of sister airlines including Indonesia Air Asia and Thai Air Asia.
It described Iran as a ‘massive’ opportunity, and planned to resume services to London and Paris if costs made sense.
Speaking at the CAPA Iran Aviation Summit in the Iranian capital, Chief Executive Benyamin Bin Ismail said, ‘We flew to Tehran in the past but had to stop due to sanctions. We are looking to come back and are exploring it again.’
‘(Air Asia co-founder) Tony (Fernandes) sees markets like this as an opportunity…I think Iran is going to be massive for us,’ Bin Ismail said.
Air Asia previously flew A340 jets to London and Paris but halted the service due to high oil prices.
‘London and Paris are still in the plans,’ Bin Ismail said. ‘We have options but need to make sure it doesn’t devalue our yields and that the costs make sense for us.’