KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 16): Air Asia Bhd's low-cost long-haul arm, Air Asia X Bhd, will begin flying to Hawaii in the first half of next year and also speed up the resumption of European flights.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoting an airline spokesman reported that the group had initially targeted an earlier start date to link Kuala Lumpur with Honolulu, via a refuelling stop in Osaka, Japan, but had to push back the start date as it awaits approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

WSJ's report said AirAsia X also shared its plans to resume flights to Europe once it takes delivery of the new Airbus Group SE A330neo planes in 2018, and said it plans to fly its new Airbus.

Currently, Airbus is still developing the A330neo, an upgraded model of the A330 with more efficient engines made by Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc.

However, the group intends to commence Europe routes earlier by renting Boeing Co 777 long-haul planes to jump-start European service.

The decision has yet to be finalised, WSJ quoted the spokesman as saying.