Low-cost carrier AirAsia X (AAX) is making travel to Europe more accessible for travelers in Southeast Asia, including those in the Philippines, with the launch of one-stop flights from Kuala Lumpur to London via its new hub in Bahrain.

The Malaysia-based AAX unveiled on Monday night, Feb. 11 (Manila time), that Bahrain will soon begin operating as the company’s Middle East hub—its first outside Southeast Asia.

AAX, which recently consolidated all AirAsia-branded airlines under its umbrella, sees Bahrain as a key hub for flights between its home base in Southeast Asia and major cities across Europe.

The company will start operations in Bahrain on June 26, with direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and the Middle Eastern country, as well as a fifth-freedom route to London.

Under fifth-freedom rights in global commercial aviation, airlines may operate flights from their country of origin to a final destination with an intermediate stop—such as Bahrain—where they may pick up additional passengers.

Through the new route, AAX aims to broaden affordable, convenient travel options to Bahrain and London for travelers from Southeast Asia.

For the Philippines, this opens up an accessible route for travelers seeking to visit the United Kingdom (UK) and nearby European countries on a budget.

Likewise, flights to Bahrain would provide an affordable option for Filipinos, especially overseas workers in the Middle East returning to their workplaces.

While AAX has yet to announce flight arrangements connecting its Philippine hub to Bahrain, flights from the country are expected to launch in the short term based on a letter of intent (LOI) the company signed last year.

Under its LOI with the government of Bahrain, the carrier committed to exploring flights to Bahrain from the Philippines over the next five years, with onward connectivity to Europe and the United States.

By 2030, AAX plans to operate more than 25 flights per day between Bahrain and its hubs in Southeast Asia, carrying as many as 20 million passengers within that period.

Potential flights from the Philippines to Bahrain will likely mirror the one-stop route between Manila and Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur, launched in November last year.

AirAsia Philippines, which operates under AAX, is focused on network expansion this year to reinforce its growing presence in Southeast Asia and position itself as the go-to airline for Filipinos.

Last month, the airline announced direct flights to Hanoi and Da Nang beginning next month, capitalizing on Vietnam’s popularity as one of the most visited destinations among Filipinos.