New Delhi : International air fares between India and France are now set to cruise to a lower altitude with the two countries agreeing to liberalise bilateral air links. The countries have agreed to more than double the number of flights between India and France to 35 services a week from 14 now, a move that will lead to more seat availability and lower fares.

The Indian and French governments signed the new Air Services Agreement to this effect in Paris recently. Under the new agreement, both sides will have 35 flights a week into each others countries. Bangalore and Hyderabad have been designated as additional points of call adding to the earlier four - Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai. "The agreement has been amended to provide for multiple designations of airlines, a move that will allow even private domestic carriers from India to mount services to France." a senior government official said.

The French government has granted Indian carriers the fifth freedom rights, which will permit India's airlines to mount flights beyond France to New York and four more points in the US, besides Toronto and montreal in Canada. The French government has also agreed to assist air India to get additional landing slots and terminals at the Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris.