KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 1): AirAsia Group Bhd (KL:AAGB) is targeting to commence flights to Bahrain by March 2027, subject to regional conditions, with the appointment of its Bahrain board of directors marking another milestone in its regional expansion strategy.

In a statement Sunday, AirAsia Group, formerly known as AirAsia X Bhd, said the board will be chaired by Dr Serra Kirdar, with Datuk Fam Lee Ee as vice-chairman.

“They are joined by Dr Faisal Khalid Kanoo, Nawaf Al Zayani, Akram Safa, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim. All are non-executive directors,” it said.

According to the low-cost airline, the appointment builds on the letter of intent signed between Capital A Bhd and Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications in November 2025, and AirAsia’s February 2026 announcement positioning Bahrain as its Middle East hub.

AirAsia Group adviser and Capital A chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said Bahrain is strategically important to the group as the gateway connecting Asean with the Middle East, Europe and beyond.

“While the geopolitical situation in the region has required us to adjust our initial plans, our commitment to Bahrain has not changed.

“Today’s appointment of the AirAsia Bahrain board, with such a distinguished group of leaders, solidifies that commitment,” he said.

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