Malaysia's long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X said Tuesday it will launch inaugural flights to China and Australia in October with the arrival of its first A330 aircraft.

It also unveiled plans to purchase 20 long-haul aircraft from either Boeing or Airbus to service future routes to Europe.

"We are excited with the arrival of the A330-300 aircraft. We plan to fly to China and Australia late October," AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani told AFP.

"The plane will alternate between China and Australia. We plan to have at least five flights to China a week and four a week to Australia's Gold Coast," he said.

Azran said landing rights to both destinations had been secured and the airline was now waiting for Malaysian regulators to certify the plane.

The ambitious budget carrier, which has ordered 15 new Airbus A330 aircraft for its medium-haul routes which will start arriving from September 2008, also plans to acquire another two leased A340s in mid-2008.

"This will allow us to fly to London or Manchester, whichever airport imposes lower airport charges," Azran said.

AirAsia X routes will eventually extend to China, Europe, Japan and the Middle East, with fares on average 50 percent lower than full-service carriers, he said.

The airline's founder, Tony Fernandes, said that for its long-haul routes AirAsia X is also eyeing the purchase of some 20 Boeing 787s, or Airbus 350s -- which are still on the drawing board.

"787 is real. I'm going to Seattle to talk with the Boeing CEO next week," he told reporters.

"Sure, we would be foolish not to talk to Boeing. But the 350 is an obvious choice. The Airbus has an advantage but the question is, when can we get the planes."

Airbus's vice-president for Southeast Asian sales, Francois Cognard, said that if AirAsia X ordered the A350s immediately they would be delivered around 2015.

"If you want to fly direct to Europe, you will need an A340 or the A350. We are discussing with them," he said at the function to showcase the first AirAsia X plane, adding that Singapore Airlines had already ordered 20 of the planes.

AirAsia X's first A330, on a six-year lease from Ansett Worldwide Services, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Azran said its arrival complements the new aircraft on order, which will be delivered over five years.

"The seat configuration of the A330 will be at 390 seats, more than 100 than traditional users of the A330-300," he said, adding that 28 spacious "premium" seats would be offered at the equivalent of regular full-fare economy tickets.

AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia and Virgin Blue, was launched in January 2007. AirAsia and AirAsia X share common shareholders, including AirAsia founder and chief Tony Fernandes.

Richard Branson's Virgin Group has taken a 20 percent stake in the airline and the British billionaire has vowed to ensure that the project turns a profit.

Azran said that the arrival of the aircraft again proved critics wrong.

"We have the cash, we have the plane and now we are waiting to fly," he said.

"And with Branson onboard, it gives instant global credibility to investors and suppliers. We are determined to fly and there is no stopping now."