Air India, India’s leading global airline, and Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand strategic cooperation between the two airlines. Building on their existing codeshare agreement, the MoU aims to strengthen connectivity between Saudi Arabia and India while supporting the continued growth of travel between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, and Mr. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India. The MoU sets out a phased approach to developing the partnership. Areas of cooperation include expanding the existing codeshare agreement, improving connectivity across both airlines’ networks, exploring terminal co-location and exploring further operational and commercial opportunities, including cooperation between their loyalty programs.
The two parties will also assess opportunities to extend the partnership in the future to other airlines within their respective groups, including flyadeal and Air India Express. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar said: “India is an important market for Saudia, and Air India is a valued partner in strengthening travel links between our two countries.
This partnership will offer guests greater choice, flexibility, and more seamless journeys across both networks as demand continues to grow.” “It will also create new opportunities for operational and commercial collaboration, supporting the growth priorities of both airlines and providing scope to broaden the relationship across our respective airline groups in the future,” He added.
Mr. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, said: “The relationship between India and Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen across multiple dimensions, creating significant opportunities for aviation to play an even greater role in connecting people, businesses, and the economies of the two nations.
As carriers serving rapidly growing markets, Air India and Saudia are well positioned to deepen this relationship through closer collaboration. Together with Saudia, we look forward to exploring a range of new opportunities that will deliver greater value to our respective customers while supporting our long-term growth objectives, together.”
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for the continued development of the relationship between Saudia and Air India, creating opportunities to expand cooperation across multiple areas as both airlines continue to strengthen their international networks and respond to growing demand for travel between Saudi Arabia and India.
Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has significantly expanded its global alliance network. Today, the airline maintains 25 codeshare partnerships and more than 120 interline agreements with leading carriers worldwide, providing seamless access for Air India customers to over 1,000 destinations globally.