Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 5, 2017.

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The Indian government has expanded the number of slots for Malaysian carriers to operate between the two countries, according to AirAsia Bhd executive chairman and AirAsia X Bhd group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Kamarudin Meranun.

“We are pleased with the review of the bilateral air services agreement between India and Malaysia. AirAsia, as a group, operates 109 international flights weekly to 13 destinations in India, which is relatively small compared with the size of the country,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He also said that the budget airline will work with Tourism Malaysia and India to grow tourist arrivals on both ends as part of plans to provide wider connectivity among India, Malaysia and Asean members.

Kamarudin added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s announcement of a multiple-entry 15-day e-visa will encourage tourists travelling between Malaysia and India, and contribute to higher receipts from travel and tourism which will then provide immediate contribution to economic growth.

“We are confident this will generate greater economic contribution for both countries as tourism not only creates jobs, but leads to multiplier effects which will benefit various related industries,” he noted.

“We will strive further towards connecting Tier I destinations to Tier II and III segments. It’s an exciting year for us and we look forward to marking several milestones in the next few months,” said AirAsia India managing director and CEO Amar Abrol.

AirAsia India currently operates a fleet of nine Airbus A320s, serving 15 destinations and three hubs in Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata.

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