en.Wedoany.com Reported - Air India and Riyadh Air have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership aimed at expanding connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and international destinations.
The agreement lays the groundwork for potential interline and codeshare arrangements, subject to regulatory approvals. Once implemented, passengers will be able to travel across both airlines' networks on a single booking, enjoying smoother connections via hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh. Under the MoU, the two carriers will also explore collaboration in areas such as reciprocal loyalty program benefits, cargo services, operational support, and digital and technology initiatives designed to enhance the customer experience.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, stated that India and Saudi Arabia are key growth markets in the global aviation industry, and that this partnership will combine the complementary strengths of both airlines to offer passengers more choices and a better travel experience. Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air, described India as one of the world's most important aviation markets, calling the agreement a significant step in Riyadh Air's strategy to connect Saudi Arabia with major international destinations.
The agreement comes as Riyadh Air prepares to launch commercial operations. The airline recently opened bookings for its inaugural route (to London Heathrow), with flights scheduled to begin on July 1, and is expected to offer Indian travelers additional transit options to the UK and Europe via Riyadh.
Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its international partnerships, building a network comprising 25 codeshare agreements and over 120 interline partnerships, providing access to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. This collaboration reflects the growing economic and people-to-people ties between India and Saudi Arabia, while supporting both airlines' efforts to expand their international reach and connectivity.
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