Great news for travel lovers in the UK and Asia suffering from the credit crunch; Air Asia X, the Malaysian long-haul low-cost carrier, has confirmed that it plans to start flights between the UK and it's Kuala Lumpur hub in early 2009.

According to ABTN, Tim Claydon, the airline's commercial adviser, made the statement at the World Travel Market in London and said an official announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

He added: "We have said we will be coming into the UK by early 2009."

The carrier is expected to fly to either Manchester or Stansted.

Air Asia flies from Kuala Lumpur across Asia, to destinations including Bangkok, Langkawi, Siem Reap, Hong Kong and Hanoi. The carrier also flies from KL to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth in Australia.

To search for flights between the UK and Kuala Lumpur click here.

Photo by Christophe RAMOS via Flickr (Creative Commons).

One of the best things about London is eating a grilled cheese sandwich from the Cheese Man in Borough Market. These sandwiches taste especially good when eaten in the gardens of Southwark Cathedral and accompanied by cider (also available at the market).

I don't know how the Cheese Man makes those incredible sandwiches, but he told me once that he invented his very own type of cheese, Ogleshield, to do it - perhaps he was pulling my leg.

He also makes amazing raclette - melted cheese scraped over a plate of potatoes, onions and gherkins.

(The Cheese Man is the one with the goatee)

Even from 6,000 miles away I crave those delicious sandwiches and will be making a beeline for his stall this Saturday.

Toasted Cheese Sandwich Innards by su-lin via flickr (Creative Commons).

Watching over the Raclette by su-lin via flickr (Creative Commons).