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India signs new air agreement with the UK

INDIA and the UK recently concluded a new aviation pact which includes the easing of restrictions on the number of scheduled flights between the two countries.

The agreement signed in New Delhi can be considered a big boost to trade - post-Brexit -the limits on flights from key Indian cities (including Chennai and Kolkata) have been scrapped, according to London's Air Cargo News.

The agreement also opens all destinations in the UK for Indian carriers for codeshare flights. In return, the UK carriers can also operate codeshare flights to any international airport in India through domestic codeshare arrangements. It will allow airlines to develop new services and air routes.

Said UK Aviation Minister, Lord Tariq Mahmood Ahmad of Wimbledon: "India is one of our closest allies and key trading partners and this new agreement will only serve to strengthen this crucial relationship. We are unlocking new trade and tourism opportunities that will boost our economies, create new jobs, and open up new business links.

"This is great news for both the UK and India and is yet another sign that we are open for business and ready to build new as well as strengthen our existing trade links."

He also pointed out that with around two and half million passengers flying direct between the UK and India each year, and 88 scheduled services per week in each direction between the two countries, the agreement opens up even more routes and opportunities.

India's Minister for Civil Aviation P Ashok Gajapathi Raju hailed the agreement as good news for "our businesses and tourists."

"We already enjoy strong ties with the UK and we welcome such closer associations. In the long run, they will encourage further businesses between our two countries in the civil aviation sector. I am sure the Indian private airline companies will benefit from this agreement between our two countries," he said.