Low-cost airline AirAsia plans to continue its China expansion in 2009 by flying to two new destinations. In the second half of the year, the Malaysia-based carrier will start services to Chengdu and Xian from Kuala Lumpur. By the end of the year it will also launch flights from Thailand to Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, cities that the airline already serves from Kuala Lumpur.

Originally focused on budget tourists, AirAsia has enjoyed growing success in the corporate travel market in the current economic downturn, as large companies cut travel spending and shift their custom to low-cost services.