Air Transport

Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia may get landing rights at Paris's Orly Airport.

During a visit to France Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak told journalists he raised, with the French Government, the issue of AirAsia's application for landing rights at Orly, according to national news agency Bernama.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon also reportedly told Razak that AirAsia has been granted landing rights "outside Paris", although the report did not specify airports.

Najib reportedly said the carrier's application for landing rights at Orly was appropriate given that AirAsia, the parent of Air Asia X, is a big customer for Airbus A320 aircraft, some of which are produced in France.

AirAsia has over 100 Airbus A320s on firm order, though it has deferred 16 A320s due for delivery in 2010 and 2011.

If AirAsia gets rights to fly to Paris, the destination is likely to be served by its long haul, low-cost unit AirAsia X. AirAsia X operates five Airbus A330s and has 33 aircraft on firm order: 23 Airbus A330-300s and 10 Airbus A350-900s.