Kingfisher Airlines has agreed partnership deals with three travel management companies and two consortia as it bids to step up its presence in the UK market.

The airline, which claims to be India's only five-star carrier, announced the deals at the Business Travel Market in London.

The company's managing director, Rick Saggar, said the commercial deals, which give agents access to negotiated rates, are part of a long-term strategy to increase its market share.

Initial agreements have been hatched with Guild of Travel Management Companies members Ian Allen Travel, HRG and Reed and Mackay, while the Advantage Focus Partnership and Uniglobe British Isles consortia have also signed.

Kingfisher flies daily from Heathrow to Bangalore and Mumbai and serves 70 destinations in India.

Saggar said the airline was well-placed to serve the business travel community in the UK.