Indian carrier Jet Airways will make its maiden flight to Malaysia on April 29, marking growing economic ties between Kuala Lumpur and New Delhi, a senior airport official said today.

Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd senior marketing manager Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah told AFP that Jet Airways would launch daily roundtrip flights from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur using its new Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

"India is another emerging market. The new carrier into the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will bring surely more Indian tourists into Malaysia," he said.

Mohamed said Jet Airways' rival carrier Air Sahara would soon make an announcement about their own plans to fly to KLIA.

"We will know about its first flight and frequency in the next two days," he said.

An official with Jet Airways said even though the Kuala Lumpur - Chennai route was saturated with other carriers, it would remain the most profitable route between the two countries.

"We are confident to fill the flight. Jet Airways will offer discount tickets for a month," he said, adding that "we do not want to create a price war."

Open skies in India

Jet faces competition on the Chennai route from other carriers including Malaysia Airlines, Indian Airlines, Air Lanka and Thai Airways.

Jet began flying in 1993 and has 42 aircraft and runs 271 scheduled flights daily within India. It also flies to Colombo and Nepal and has secured landing rights in London.

Air Sahara has also secured landing rights to London, and hopes to link Europe to Southeast Asia via India.

The carrier started operations on Dec 3, 1993 following the Indian government's opening up of the Indian skies to private airlines.

Air Sahara's fleet includes Boeing 737 - 700, 737 - 800 and 737 - 400 aircraft. Air Sahara currently flies to 22 destinations in India.

Mohamed said the entry of the two carriers into Malaysia would enhance KLIA's attempt to become a regional hub, a position held by neighbouring Singapore's Changi Airport.

"With new carriers flying into KLIA, it will provide more connectivity and this will in return attract more long-haul aircraft into KLIA," he said.