Major Southeast Asia based airlines, including Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, are seeking more traffic rights in India, triggered by the recent Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) signed between India and China on June 20, 2007. These airlines are expecting a sizeable number of passengers since both the countries will hold exhibitions, cultural programmes, and workshops for the period 2007-09. Also, over 5,000 Indians are expected to fly to China during the Beijing Olympics, 2008.

Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific plans to increase the frequency of its flights in and out of India. Says Tom Wright, general manager (India Middle East, Africa and Pakistan), Cathay Pacific, ?Bilateral talks between both the governments are expected soon. Once we get more traffic rights, we will have daily flights out of Mumbai and Delhi and shall expand our network to the south sectors as well. The airline flies 3,000 passengers out of India per week (currently 4 flights operate out of Delhi and Mumbai every week).

Wright adds that Beijing Olympics is an excellent opportunity to enhance their network in India.

?We will work with Dragon Air; a Hong Kong based international airlines and will jointly conduct some promotional offers.?

Singapore Airlines too finds India a lucrative market. In May this year, bilateral talks were held between both the countries and the airline could add one flight each on Chennai and Hyderabad sectors, which takes their flight frequency to 50 flights a week from eight destinations across India.

?Beijing Olympics and the CEP will help boost our passenger load factors along with increased frequency. We shall also deploy the A380 on the route with heavy discounting on tickets,? said an airline official.

Even Srilankan Airlines wants to cash in on the business opportunities available in India. Currently, the airlines has 94 flights per week across ten destinations in India. ?Under the cultural exchange programme, many participants from both the countries will be flying to China. We have identified India as the fastest growing market,? says an official with the airline. The airline is also pinning hopes on the bilateral talks to increase its flight frequencies. The official adds that currently, India accounts for just 2% of the airline?s revenue.