Saudia and Air India Sign Codeshare Agreement to Expand Travel Options
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, and Air India, India’s leading global airline, have signed a codeshare agreement that will take effect in February, providing guests with expanded travel and flight options.
The agreement introduces a range of benefits for guests of both airlines by boosting connectivity, enhancing the overall travel experience, strengthening network access, and maximizing flight choices across tourism, business travel, and other guest segments.
Seamless Booking and Enhanced Travel Experience
Under the new partnership, guests will enjoy streamlined booking and ticketing, smooth connections using a single itinerary, and baggage check-through to their final destination, significantly improving travel convenience.
Expanded Connectivity Between India and Saudi Arabia
Through the codeshare arrangement, Saudia’s guests will gain access to major cities across India via Mumbai and Delhi, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Jaipur, and more than 15 additional destinations on an interline basis.
Air India guests traveling to Jeddah or Riyadh with Air India will be able to take seamless onward connections on Saudi-operated flights to destinations such as Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah, and Taif.
Greater Flexibility for Travelers
The addition of codeshare flights on the Jeddah–Riyadh route will allow guests greater flexibility to arrive in one city and depart from another. Connections to select complementary international destinations are expected to be added later this year.
Airline Leadership Highlights Strategic Importance
Commenting on the agreement, H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said that the partnership marks a strategic step forward, given the long histories of both airlines and their shared commitment to increasing connectivity between their home markets.
He added that Saudia’s presence in India spans more than 60 years and highlighted the ease of travel to Saudi Arabia through e-visas, stopover visas, and visa-on-arrival facilities for eligible Indian passport holders.
Air India Emphasizes Market Growth
Mr. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, stated that Saudi Arabia is among Air India’s most important markets in the Middle East.
He said the partnership with Saudia will provide greater access to the large Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia and open up the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving tourism offerings and diverse destinations to travelers from India.
Saudia’s Expanding Global Network
Saudia currently has 25 active codeshare agreements, enabling its guests to access more than 100 additional international destinations.
These partnerships also allow travelers on partner airlines to reach a wide range of domestic destinations within Saudi Arabia, reinforcing Saudia’s role in expanding global connectivity and bringing the world to the Kingdom.
