New Partnerships Link India with North America and Europe

Two new partnerships have been announced which will open up a world of connections to and from India.

India has been pegged as one of the fastest growing aviation markets, and these partnerships aim to capitalize on the air business that is expected to continue to expand at a rapid pace.

Signatory CEOs and crew from left to right: Shai Weiss (Virgin Atlantic), Marjan Rintel (KLM), Ben Smith (Air France-KLM), Pieter Elbers (IndiGO), Ed Bastian (Delta Air Lines).

IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic

IndiGo signed a memorandum or understanding (MOU) with Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM and Delta that will enable travellers to book onward travel and connections on the vast network of flights covered by the partner airlines. 

“This agreement is another example of our commitment to making travel more connected, more inclusive and more accessible,” said Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines.”Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta’s direct service from the U.S. to India in the near future.”

Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, agrees. “As IndiGo starts long haul operations, we’ll connect four of the world’s largest economies, enhancing the travel experience for our guests, from greater connectivity and optimized flight times to loyalty benefits.”

Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair and Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, Air India (Photo Credit: Icelandair)

Air India and Icelandair

Also announced is a codeshare agreement between Icelandair and Air India. The agreement means 15 “seamless” routes for passengers of the two airlines. 

“This strategic partnership with Air India marks a significant milestone, opening up exciting new travel opportunities from across our network in North America and Europe to and from India,” said Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair. “It will connect Iceland to Air India’s extensive network, allowing us to introduce what Iceland has to offer to their customers. We have and will continue to expand our network of partner airlines, focusing on working with airlines like Air India that offer great service and connectivity.”

Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, Air India, said: “We are happy to embark on this codeshare partnership with Icelandair, which unites two airlines committed to connecting the world. By combining our strengths, we are creating a seamless bridge between India’s vibrant destinations and Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes. This partnership underscores Air India’s ambition to expand our global reach while offering Icelandair’s customers seamless access to India’s diverse destinations.”

Both of these partnerships are subject to regulatory approvals before they will be available for booking with the respective airlines.

Topics From This Article to Explore