East Midlands Airport officials are in talks with four Indian airline companies to operate regular flights from Leicestershire to India to cater to the close business and family connections between two countries.

Barry Thompson Deputy Managing Director of the East Midlands Airport, said: "We feel this is a very important route and a good opportunity for the economy and the airport. There are a lot of people who are already travelling to India using Manchester and Heathrow.

"We are also speaking with a number of business leaders and chambers of trade and tourism ministers. We want to develop long haul flights to the Indian subcontinent and this is another important step.

"We are confident this will happen, but it will take time. We know the market is there but we are looking for support from the business community."

Travel agents across Leicester were in favour of plans to have direct flights to several destinations in India. These include destinations in Gujarat since Leicester has a large population of Gujarat origin.