Agoracom

Several airlines in the region are planning to operate to more Indian destinations, subject to bilateral air traffic rights and their respective fleet strengths.

Carriers like Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Garuda of Indonesia and Air Mauritius are eyeing Indian cities to launch flights, their top officials told media in separate interviews.

"We would like to operate to more cities in India, but will have to wait for bilateral negotiations between the two governments as we are utilising all (air traffic) rights granted by India", PIA Chairman Zaffar Ahmad Khan said.

He said the airline, which was now flying from Karachi and Lahore to Delhi and Mumbai, would like to operate services to Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.

Its Senior Vice President S Kamran Hasan said the new flights, when allowed, would operate thrice a week with Airbus A-320 aircraft. The frd later depending on the load factor.

Air Mauritius Chairman Sanjay Bhuckory said his airline was exploring options of flying to Bangalore. "There has been a strong and steady growth of Indian tourists to Mauritius and our flight to Bangalore will complement those we operate to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai", he said