Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to increase air travel between the two Southeast Asian neighbors amid a regional slump in tourism.
Under the new agreement, carriers from both countries may operate between Singapore and six new destinations in Malaysia - Ipoh, Kuala Teregganu, Kuantan, Malacca, Sandakan, and Tawau, Singapore's Transport Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
It also allows for more flights to Panang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, the ministry said.
"The enhanced connectivity further boosts economic and tourism linkages between our two countries," said Choi Shing Kwok, the ministry's permanent secretary. "This is especially important in the current economic climate."
Singapore, an island city-state about a mile off the coast of Malaysia, is reeling from its worst recession on record.
The government said Tuesday that the economy plummeted nearly 20 percent in the first quarter from the previous quarter, its biggest contraction ever.
Tourist arrivals fell 13 percent in January from a year earlier and 15 percent in February.

Source : AFP