Malaysian airline, AirAsia X, launched a best practice session at World Routes in Beijing, providing tips and advice to airports in how best to position themselves to become the next ‘hub of choice’.

AirAsia X recently selected Abu Dhabi Airport to be its Middle Eastern regional hub for refuelling and connecting flights to possible destinations in Europe, Africa and central Asia, as part of ambitious expansion plans. The low-cost airline, which is based in Kuala Lumpur, continues to pursue access to new markets through regional hubs that can deliver the necessary requirements to open up completely new markets.

The session, held at the Route Exchange Stand, outlined the potential for a Middle East Airport in attracting a based AirAsia X aircraft to their market.

Paul Winfield, Head of Business Development at Routes, commented: “AirAsia X is a fast growing carrier which can offer practical advice with real commercial benefit to airports. To cultivate a reputation for an airport synonymous with delivering facilities of a leading regional hub is potentially very lucrative for airports. Today’s briefing session was a really accessible means for airports to gain valuable insight into what airlines require from them in the future.”

“It’s another great example of the diversity of the activities that take place at World Routes!”