Kuala Lumpur, Aug 21 (ANI): AirAsia should enhance connectivity and promote tourism between Malaysia and India by restoring flights to Mumbai and New Delhi, a top Indian diplomat in Malasiya has said.
India's High Commissioner to Malaysia Vijay K. Gokhale said the suspension of the Mumbai and New Delhi flights by AirAsia X, AirAsia's long-haul affiliate, since March, has impacted Malaysia's aim of transforming itself as a tourism hub in the Asian region.
Gokhale said that connectivity must be enhanced for better passenger movements between the two countries, adding that among Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, Malaysia has the least flight frequencies to India.
"Besides Malaysia, India is also affected, as we at the High Commission are seeing a significant drop in the number of Indian tourists visas issued for Malaysians in the past nine months," The Star quoted Gokhale, as saying.
AirAsia X's four-times weekly Kuala Lumpur-Mumbai flight was suspended on Jan 31 while the daily service to New Delhi was stopped on March 22, the paper said.
Gokhale claimed that before AirAsia X stopped flying to Mumbai and New Delhi, Malaysia emerged as one of the most favourite destinations for Indian travellers mainly due to its first-class tourist facilities, affordability and exciting tourist spots.
"Following the flight suspension, neighbouring countries like Singapore and Thailand are becoming more popular among Indian tourists," he said.
AirAsia currently flies daily to Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata and Tiruchirapalli, all are cities in south India, the paper added. (ANI)
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