Air India Moves to Capitalize on India-Australia Ties
Skift Take
Full-service airline Air India is strengthening its international network. On Monday, the airline announced a new codeshare agreement with Virgin Australia. The move is expected to boost connectivity between India and Australia, the airline said in a statement.
The codeshare agreement will cover Virgin Australia flights to 16 destinations in Australia and New Zealand, including Adelaide, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Queenstown. Air India’s distinctive AI flight code will be added to Virgin Australia flights operating to these destinations.
Air India currently operates 14 weekly flights between India and Australia. The agreement will allow passengers to fly from Delhi to Sydney or Melbourne on an Air India-operated flight and then connect on Virgin Australia flights on a single ticket.
India-Australia Ties: Air India already has a partnership with Australia-based Qantas Airways.
Air India intends to increase its share in this segment. “Australia is one of Air India’s most important international markets,” said Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial officer.
Skift had earlier quoted Aggarwal talking about an integrated operation between Air India and Air India Express. He had said Air
