Air India, India’s premier international carrier, and Saudia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s national airline, have announced a comprehensive codeshare agreement scheduled to commence operations in February. This strategic partnership promises to deliver substantial benefits for travellers on both sides, including enhanced connectivity, streamlined travel experiences, expanded network access, increased flight choices, and improved service for tourism, business and leisure segments.
Simplified Travel Experience
The codeshare arrangement introduces significant conveniences for passengers, including unified booking and ticketing systems, seamless connections through a single itinerary, and baggage check-through service to final destinations, eliminating the hassle of rechecking luggage during transit.
Expanded Network for Air India Passengers
Air India customers flying to Jeddah or Riyadh will gain access to smooth onward connections on Saudia-operated flights to six key Saudi destinations: Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah, and Taif. The partnership offers added flexibility with codeshare services on the Jeddah-Riyadh route, allowing passengers the convenience of arriving in one city and departing from another.
Additional connections to select international destinations beyond Saudi Arabia are planned for introduction later this year, further expanding travel options for Air India passengers.
Enhanced Access for Saudia Passengers to India
Saudia passengers will benefit from improved access to India’s major metropolitan centers through the airline’s Mumbai and Delhi gateways. The codeshare agreement provides connections to prominent Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Jaipur, with interline connections to more than 15 additional destinations across the country.
Leadership Perspectives
Mr. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: “Saudi Arabia ranks among our most critical markets in the Middle East, with the Kingdom rapidly transforming into a major international gateway for the region. We are pleased to partner with Saudia to provide enhanced access for the substantial Indian diaspora living throughout Saudi Arabia, while simultaneously opening the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving and diverse tourism landscape and extraordinary destinations to Indian holidaymakers.”
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, highlighted the collaboration’s significance: “The codeshare agreement with Air India represents a strategic advancement, leveraging both airlines’ extensive histories and shared dedication to enhancing connectivity within our respective home markets and between our nations. This partnership offers passengers broader access to more destinations through simplified travel procedures that elevate the overall journey experience.”
He added: “Saudia has maintained a presence in India for over six decades, during which we have proudly served diverse passenger segments and contributed to strengthening the bonds between our two countries. Saudi Arabia offers remarkable travel experiences, and with convenient e-visa facilities, stopover visas, and visa-on-arrival options for eligible Indian passport holders, visiting the Kingdom has never been more accessible.”
Air India’s Growing Global Network
Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has substantially expanded its international partnership ecosystem. The airline currently maintains 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements with major carriers worldwide, providing Air India customers with seamless connectivity to over 800 destinations globally.
This latest agreement with Saudia reinforces Air India’s commitment to building a comprehensive global network that serves the evolving needs of international travellers while strengthening economic and cultural ties between India and key markets worldwide.
The codeshare services are scheduled to become operational in February 2026, with both airlines working closely to ensure smooth implementation and optimal passenger experience from launch.
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