Budget long-haul carrier AirAsiaX has won approval to start flights to the US and is considering resuming a service to the UK.
The Malaysian carrier said it had become the first low-cost carrier to receive approval to operate scheduled passenger flights to any destination within the US.
The airline said it gained the green light from the US Federal Aviation Authority and that it was considering flights to several US states including Hawaii, Reuters reported.
Chief executive, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, said: “Our expansion up until now has concentrated on Asia, Australasia and the Middle East, and we are excited about our first foray into an entirely new market as we look beyond Asia Pacific.
“As part of our expansion plans, we are also looking to resume our very popular London route, and are working towards securing the necessary approvals.”
The carrier suspended all flights to Europe, including London and Paris, in March 2012, due to high operating costs. The Kuala Lumpur-London route was launched by AirAsiaX in March 2009.