AirAsia X is considering purchasing three Airbus A330-200 aircraft at a cost of 1.5bn ringgit ($491m) to service its expanding routes to Europe.

AirAsia X chief executive Azran Osman-Rani said the new aircraft would be delivered by 2014 and were among 28 long-haul planes currently on order.

The new aircraft will help the airline to achieve its target of carrying 2.7 million passengers in 2011, up from 1.92 million in 2010.

A large-capacity, wide-body, twin-engine, medium to long range commercial passenger jet, the A330-200 can accommodate 335 passengers in a two-class layout and carry 70t of cargo.

A330-200 has a maximum range from 4,000nm to 7,250nm, according to the Wall Street Journal.