Updated

Malaysia's airport operator says the launch of a new airport for budget carriers has been further delayed by 10 months to May 2014 due to a setback in construction.

The four-billion-ringgit ($1.27 billion) airport was originally slated to open mid-2012, but the date was pushed to June this year due to design changes.

Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad in a statement late Tuesday said the airport is targeted to be opened May 2 next year after contractors revised the completion date to end of April 2014.

The contractors have blamed design changes and poor ground conditions for the delay.

AirAsia, Southeast Asia's top budget carrier and main user of the terminal, has criticized the multiple delays amid congestion at the current low-cost terminal.