Malaysian long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X has ordered 10 Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a list value of USD$2 billion to meet its expansion plans, the airline said on Thursday.

This brings its total A330-300 orders from Airbus to 25, having ordered 15 planes last June, the firm said in a statement. It was reported around that time to have options on 10 more.

Malaysia is becoming an attractive market for aircraft makers. Airbus chief salesman John Leahy said at the AirAsia signing that Airbus was also seeking to clinch Malaysia Airlines order for about 50 Airbus A320s and A321s.

"They were telling me today that they thought the decision will be soon," he told reporters. The planes have a list price of USD$70 million - USD$80 million each.

The Malaysian flag carrier said on Wednesday it would decide within a month whether to buy the Airbus planes or Boeing 737s to replace its ageing narrow-bodied fleet.

Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia and Britain's Virgin Group, which is controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, hold stakes of 16 percent each in AirAsia X.

Japanese leasing firm Orix and Bahrain-based Manara Consortium hold stakes of 10 percent each, while the rest is held by Aero Ventures, a firm owned by AirAsia Chief Executive Tony Fernandes and his business associates.

AirAsia X Chief Executive Azran Osman-Rani said the unlisted airline was also seeking to lease or buy two longer-range planes such as the Airbus A340s to enable it to mount daily Malaysia-UK flights.

The additional 10 AirAsia X planes will be delivered gradually over the next five years, the company said.

The planes will fly from Malaysia to Australia, North Asia, India, the Middle East and Europe, all covering a flying distance of more than four hours.

Two of the A330s will be delivered this year, and each plane will have 392 seats, Azran said.