International traffic rights for flights from 8 regional centres

NEW DELHI: In a significant step to boost international connectivity, government has granted new bilateral international traffic rights to domestic carriers to fly to various foreign destinations from eight regional airports.

At a day-long conference of State Civil Aviation Ministers here, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said his ministry was trying to provide international connectivity to new destinations not only from international airports in the metros but also from regional ones.

The states had asked the Centre to share the cost of developing airports in Tier-II and III cities and ensure a minimum number of flights to non-metro and remote destinations.

Singh said new bilateral international traffic rights were given to Indian carriers last week to fly to different destinations from Lucknow, Chandigarh, Madurai, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Bagdogra (West Bengal).

The Minister said Indian carriers, which have been given these rights, are expected to start their flights from upcoming winter schedule from October.