Pakistan, June 1 -- KARACHI - Malaysian budget airline AirAsia X officially launched its operations in Pakistan on Friday night, marking its debut with the arrival of its first flight in Karachi. The inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Karachi flight received a traditional water salute at Jinnah International Airport and carried 298 passengers.

The return flight to Kuala Lumpur departed with 315 travelers, kicking off AirAsia X's four-times-weekly service to Karachi. The airline's entry is expected to lower travel costs, enhance tourism, and strengthen trade and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Malaysia.

To celebrate the occasion, a welcome ceremony was held at the airport. TCB Aviation CEO Khawaja Ali Kamal Majeed and the Malaysian Consul...