Malaysian long-haul budget airline pioneer AirAsia X said it is in talks with Airbus to purchase 10 more Airbus A330-300 aircraft, the New Straits Times reported today.

AirAsia X operator, Fly Asian Express (FAX), last week signed an order with Airbus, of up to 10 of the aircraft and an option for five more, to begin its long-haul services.

"Since FAX would need 25 aircraft within the next five years to operate the AirAsia Long Haul routes, I think it is better for us to place the orders for the additional 10 planes now," FAX chairman Kamarudin Meranun was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Kamarudin said the airline will not be short of options to finance the next round of aircraft purchases, estimated to cost 1.75 billion dollars based on the aircraft's catalogue price of 175 million dollars per plane.

"As for financing, everything is taken care off. We are not short of financial institutions, as well as investors, who are keen to back us up on this deal," Kamarudin said.

"I am happy with the response as it shows that they believe in our business model," he added.

FAX's earlier orders of the aircraft are scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2008.

The airline will begin its maiden long-haul flights in September 2007 from the low-cost carrier terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

AirAsia X was unveiled by aviation tycoon Tony Fernandes in January, who launched regional budget carrier AirAsia more than five years ago.

In 2005-2006, AirAsia bought 100 A320s from Airbus for its expanding short-haul operations in the region. It signed contracts to buy 50 more of the aircraft, with an option for another 50 in January this year.