Britain and India ease limits on flights to boost trade ties

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and India on Thursday agreed to ease restrictions on the number of scheduled flights between the two countries in a bid to boost trade and tourism ties before Britain leaves the European Union.

Limits on flights to Britain from key Indian cities including Chennai and Kolkata have been scrapped, allowing for passengers to choose from a greater range of flights.

"India is one of our closest allies and key trading partners and this new agreement will only serve to strengthen this crucial relationship," Britain's aviation minister Tariq Ahmad said in a statement.

"We are unlocking new trade and tourism opportunities which will boost our economies, create new jobs and open up new business links."

According to the Department for Transport, 2.5 million passengers fly directly between the UK and India annually, with 88 scheduled services per week in each direction between the two countries.

Limits on the number of flights between countries are typically determined by bilateral air transport agreements (ATAs).

(Reporting by Ritvik Carvalho; editing by Kate Holton)