Asian no-frills carrier could touch down in Abu Dhabi

Tony Fernandes, the group chief executive of AirAsia, a shareholder in AirAsia X, named Abu Dhabi as the location for the new base, according to Malaysian media reports, while Abu Dhabi airport executives said they were still awaiting an official letter of intent from the airline.

AirAsia X said it expected to open the base next year: a “virtual hub”, meaning it would not base aircraft here but would use the airport to refuel, pick up additional passengers and continue to other destinations.

It said it would initially fly between Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur.

It will gradually expand its service from the UAE to include Spain, Turkey, Morocco and the Czech Republic.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), which has been aggressively marketing its airports in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to foreign carriers, welcomed the news.

“We are very happy to hear they made this announcement,” said Mohammed al Bulooki, ADAC’s vice president for airline marketing and aeronautical revenue. “We’ve been in discussions for some time now, and we are awaiting their official confirmation.”

Landing AirAsia X – whose long-haul approach to budget travel makes it unique in the airline industry – would be the biggest coup to date for ADAC, which recently also welcomed Ukraine International Airlines and Abu Dhabi-based start-up outfit Elite Aviation.

Earlier reports had suggested AirAsia X was also considering Dubai, Sharjah and Bahrain for its Middle Eastern base.