Malaysia's budget airline AirAsia has secured rights to fly to six destinations in China, chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said today.

He named Xiamen in southeastern China as one of the routes but would not identify the others.

AirAsia will launch the Bangkok-Xiamen route next month and hopes to start operations on the five other routes within 12 months, he said.

The company has also won rights to fly to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia and will begin service on these new routes within the year, depending on the rollout of its new planes, Fernandes said.

AirAsia has confirmed orders for 40 Airbus planes and is planning to raise that to 60, with an option for an additional 40, he said.

The airline expects to take delivery of the first batch of Airbus planes in September, or by December at the latest.

AirAsia currently operates in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Macau.

Oil price impact

Asked about the impact of high oil prices on the company's earnings, Fernandes said: "We are comfortable with the prevailing high oil prices as we still have upside in our revenue."

He declined to comment on whether the company will meet its net earnings forecast of RM159.88 million for the year to June.

The budget carrier reported a net profit of RM54.85 million for the first half to December.