Air India has made a big announcement for international travelers! Passengers will now have access to better connectivity between 12 Indian cities and 26 European cities.
To make this possible, Air India has expanded its code-sharing agreement with German airline Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines,
and Swiss International Airlines. This partnership will allow passengers to enjoy seamless travel with easier transfers.
New Code-Sharing Agreement with European Airlines
Air India has signed a new code-sharing agreement with Austrian Airlines and expanded its existing agreements with Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines.
This means that even if passengers book their tickets with Air India, they can travel on routes operated by these European airlines.
As a result, reaching different parts of Europe and other international destinations will become much more convenient.
With this expanded agreement, the total number of code-sharing routes between Air India, Lufthansa, and Swiss Airlines has increased from 55 to nearly 100.
New Destinations Covered
Under this agreement, passengers will be able to fly between 12 major Indian cities and 26 European cities.
Indian Cities Covered:
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kochi, Trivandrum, Lucknow, Jaipur.
European Cities Covered:
Vienna, Zurich, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Geneva, Brussels, Prague, Washington DC, Toronto, and more.
Air India’s Plan to Expand International Flights
Air India is also planning to double its international flights within the next three years. Currently, the airline operates 313 international flights annually,
and this number will soon be doubled. This expansion will help strengthen Air India’s presence in the long-haul international market.
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Air India, Nipun Aggarwal, stated, “This partnership will allow our customers to travel to more destinations in Europe on Lufthansa Group flights.”
Growing Competition in the International Market
As the number of Indian travelers going abroad increases, Indian airlines are rapidly expanding their global network.
1) Indian airlines now hold a 46% share in international air travel.
2) Between January and September 2024, Indian airlines transported 2.4 crore passengers internationally.
3) Air India (owned by Tata Group) has a 28% share in the aviation market.
4) Over 75 foreign airlines are also carrying passengers from India.
How Will Passengers Benefit?
More Connectivity – Travelers will have more flight options to Europe.
Easier Transfers – International layovers and transit processes will be more convenient.
Time-Saving – More direct and connecting flights will reduce travel time.
Cheaper Tickets – Increased competition in the market will likely lead to lower ticket prices.
