Aviation Reporter
Riyadh/New Delhi: Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, and Air India have signed a new codeshare agreement aimed at significantly expanding air connectivity between the two countries. The partnership will come into effect in February, the airlines announced.
Under the agreement, passengers of both airlines will benefit from streamlined bookings, single-itinerary travel, and through-checked baggage, improving the overall travel experience while increasing access to key regional destinations.
The codeshare will allow Saudia guests to connect seamlessly to major Indian cities via Mumbai and Delhi, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow and Jaipur, along with more than 15 additional destinations available through interline arrangements.
Air India passengers travelling to Jeddah and Riyadh will gain onward access on Saudia-operated flights to several Saudi domestic destinations, including Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah and Taif. The inclusion of codeshare services on the Jeddah–Riyadh sector will also allow travellers greater flexibility to arrive in one city and depart from another. The airlines said connections to selected international destinations will be added later this year.
Commenting on the development, H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, described the partnership as a strategic step to strengthen market connectivity and enhance guest experience.
“Saudia’s presence in India spans over 60 years. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding access between our countries while offering smoother and more flexible travel options,” he said, adding that simplified visa regimes, including e-visas and visa-on-arrival facilities for eligible Indian passport holders, are further supporting travel to the Kingdom.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, said Saudi Arabia remains one of the airline’s most important Middle Eastern markets.
“We are pleased to partner with Saudia to provide improved access for the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom, while also opening Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding tourism and business landscape to travellers from India,” he said.
Saudia currently maintains 25 active codeshare partnerships, enabling access to more than 100 international destinations, while also supporting inbound connectivity to cities across Saudi Arabia.
The agreement comes as both carriers continue to expand their global networks amid rising demand for tourism, business travel and regional mobility.:
