SINGAPORE - Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to expand their bilateral air services pact, a move that will open new destinations to carriers from both countries.
The two sides also agreed to allow carriers to increase the number of flights to existing destinations in Malaysia including Penang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, Singapore's transport ministry said late Tuesday.
With the newly expanded pact, carriers from both countries can offer services to six new Malaysian destinations - Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Malacca, Sandakan and Tawau, the ministry said in a statement.
"This new agreement is important for both countries, as the enhanced connectivity further boosts economic and tourism linkages between our two countries," said Choi Shing Kwok, the ministry's permanent secretary.
Officials met in Singapore Tuesday where they agreed to expand the pact.
The enhanced deal is the latest in a series of moves to liberalise air services between the neighbours.
In November, budget carriers from the two sides were allowed to operate flights between Singapore and the East Malaysian cities of Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri.
The lucrative Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route was opened in February 2008 to budget airlines, ending 30 years of dominance by national carriers.
