Malaysia has asked for more landing rights in Australia to increase flights to the key destinations of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, reports said today.

Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said Malaysia was already using most of its landing rights under a bilateral air agreement with Australia.

"We have no problem operating in Australia except for four cities - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth - where we have utilised most of our landing rights granted under our bilateral agreement," Chan was quoted as saying in the Star newspaper.

The minister said Malaysia was waiting for an answer from Canberra over the issue.

National carrier Malaysia Airlines uses the existing landing rights agreed to under a bilateral air deal.

However, AirAsia X, a new long-haul budget airline launched by aviation tycoon Tony Fernandes, is due to start flights to Britain in July and has plans to fly to more destinations in Europe, China, India and Australia.

"We will try not to duplicate where MAS is operating," Chan said, without specifically mentioning AirAsia X.

Australia is a popular destination for Malaysians, who holiday, study and work in the country.