AirAsia X introduced a direct connection between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen in November 2025. Walther Kranz managed the inaugural flight event on behalf of AirAsia X.

The brief

The launch marked the airline’s entry into the Turkish market. The inaugural event brought together airline executives, airport officials and invited guests to welcome the new connection.

Walther Kranz’s role

Our role was the management of the inaugural flight event in Istanbul. The welcome ceremony provided a setting for the airline and airport representatives to mark the route launch and its significance for travel between Türkiye and Southeast Asia.

The result

The inaugural event accompanied the opening of the new route. The photographs below document the occasion; the airline’s own announcement provides the route context.

Read AirAsia X’s launch announcement

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Samet Özetçi

Samet Özetçi is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Walther Kranz Strategic Communications & PR Agency, leading corporate reputation, crisis communications, and international media strategy across Türkiye, MENA, and Europe.

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