India, Malaysia open more airports to each other's airlines

India and Malaysia have agreed to allow airlines from each other's countries to fly to more destinations in each country. A two-day meeting between Malaysian and Indian civil aviation officials resulted in an MoU allowing airlines to fly to 18 destinations between India and Malaysia, apart from an open sky policy on air cargo services. Civil aviation secretary Ashok Chawla led the Indian delegation,

The 18 destinations which Malaysian carriers can now fly to include Patna, Lucknow, Guwahati, Gaya, Varanasi, Goa, Jaipur, Kochi, Amritsar and Bhubaneshwar, the official release said. "Capacity entitlement for the designated airlines of both sides has been significantly liberalised, which will lead to progressive enhancement of traffic rights over the next two years," it added.

The agreement will pave way for growth in air operations between India and Malaysia. Air India Express is likely to start operating on the India Malaysia route very soon.