KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Long-haul budget airline AirAsia X is hoping to begin flights to Korea and Japan in the second half of next year.

AirAsia X Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani said the airline was in discussions with airport operators and tourism bodies of both countries to discuss terms of agreements.

Azran said with the arrival of the A330 planes, the airline would be ready to launch more flights.

"The first two of the 25 A330 planes we have ordered will arrive this year while another three will arrive next year," he said yesterday during the Matta Fair held at Putra World Trade Centre.

The 25 planes were expected to cost US$5 billion ( RM17 billion), he added.
Azran also said that AirAsia X was hoping to start flights to India and the Middle East by 2013.

The carrier's existing long-haul flights in Asia are to Australia and China.

Azran said AirAsia X will also announce by the end of the year the start of its flights to the UK.

"We have not decided whether our first flight is to Manchester or London."

He added AirAsia X had leased one A340 plane, expected to arrive in March, for its UK flights.

"We will have flights five times a week at 50 per cent less cost than our nearest competitor."