Air India and Saudia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their strategic partnership, paving the way for closer commercial and operational collaboration as travel demand between India and Saudi Arabia continues to grow.
The agreement builds on the airlines’ existing codeshare partnership, introduced earlier this year, and outlines a phased approach to strengthening connectivity, enhancing passenger convenience and exploring new opportunities across their respective networks.
The MoU was signed by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, and Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India.
Broader Partnership Planned
Under the agreement, the two carriers will work to expand their existing codeshare arrangement, improve network connectivity and evaluate the co-location of airport terminals where feasible to provide a smoother travel experience.
The airlines will also explore wider commercial and operational cooperation, including potential collaboration between their frequent flyer programmes, while assessing opportunities to extend the partnership to other airlines within their respective groups, including flyadeal and Air India Express.
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar said India remains a strategically important market for Saudia and highlighted the value of strengthening links with one of the country’s largest international airlines.
“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,” he said.
Supporting Growing Bilateral Travel
Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said the partnership reflects the deepening economic, cultural and tourism ties between India and Saudi Arabia.
“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,” Wilson said.
He added that closer cooperation between the two airlines would deliver greater value for customers while supporting the long-term growth ambitions of both carriers.
The expanded partnership comes as passenger demand between India and Saudi Arabia continues to increase, driven by business travel, religious tourism, leisure travel and a large expatriate community.
Expanding Global Networks
The MoU also reinforces Air India’s broader international partnership strategy following its privatisation in 2022.
The airline has significantly expanded its global network through strategic alliances and now maintains 25 codeshare partnerships and more than 120 interline agreements, providing customers with access to over 1,000 destinations worldwide through partner airlines.
For Saudia, the agreement supports its strategy of strengthening international connectivity while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global aviation hub under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme.
As both airlines continue expanding their international operations, the enhanced partnership is expected to improve travel options, strengthen connectivity between two rapidly growing aviation markets and create new opportunities for future collaboration across their wider airline groups.
