From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 10:00 PM IST

Dragonair, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways, started a daily direct service between Hong Kong and Bangalore Wednesday.

As part of its plan to increase flight frequency to India, the Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific added 20 new flights to India.

Dragonair's ground services and international affairs general manager Algernon Yau said, 'It is an important day for Dragonair as it marks the first time for us to carry passengers to and from India. We are the only airline operating a non-stop service between two of the most dynamic and progressive cities in Asia - Hong Kong and Bengaluru (Bangalore).'

Bangalore is the seventh new destination Dragonair has launched since becoming part of the Cathay Pacific Group in September 2006. Dragonair and Cathay Pacific Airways together operate 35 flights from India.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)