Malaysian long-haul budget carrierAirAsia X’s take-off has been delayed,possibly until September 2008, as delaysin Airbus’ new A380 super- jumbo havedisrupted the aircraft leasing market,the Business Times reported, citing atop executive.

At its launch in January, the carrierpromised flights to Britain beginningthis July but Raja Mohamad Azmi RajaRazali said the service has been putback because aircraft leasing costs werehigher than projected due to the A380problems.

"We remain committed to begin thelong-haul service. The new take-off dateis by September 2008 when we beginto receive delivery of our new aircraft,"said Raja Azmi, chief executive officerof Fly Asian Xpress (FAX), the operatingcompany for the service.

AirAsia X initially aimed to beginservice with three leased aircraft, eitherthe A330-300 or the 777-200.