Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, Saudia, and India’s leading global airline, Air India, on Tuesday finalised a significant codeshare agreement set to commence in February, a move that will substantially expand flight options and streamline travel between the two countries for tourism and business passengers.
The collaboration is designed to simplify the passenger journey, enabling unified booking and ticketing processes. Travellers will benefit from seamless transfers on a single itinerary and direct baggage check-through to their ultimate destination.
Under the terms of the pact, Saudia passengers will gain access to a host of major Indian cities via hubs in Mumbai and Delhi. The new routes include destinations such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Jaipur, with interline connections to over 15 additional locations.
Conversely, Air India passengers arriving in Jeddah or Riyadh can connect onward via Saudia-operated flights to key domestic destinations including Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah, and Taif. The agreement also introduces new flexibility, permitting travellers to arrive in one Saudi city and depart from another.
The carriers have indicated that further expansion is planned, with connections to select complementary international destinations slated for inclusion later this year.
Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, described the accord as a “strategic step forward,” citing the airlines” “shared commitment to increasing connectivity within their home markets and between their countries.”
Al-Omar also noted Saudia’s 60-year history of operations in India, stating it has helped “foster stronger ties between our two nations”.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, identified Saudi Arabia as one of the airline’s most important markets in the Middle East. He commented on the partnership”s role in providing “greater access to the large Indian diaspora spread across Saudi Arabia” and opening the Kingdom”s tourism offerings to holidaymakers from India.
This agreement with Air India adds to Saudia’s portfolio of 25 existing codeshare arrangements, which provide the airline”s passengers with access to over 100 additional international destinations.