Air India and Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, have entered into a codeshare partnership designed to expand connectivity and enhance travel options between India and Central Asia.
The agreement covers Air Astana’s services on the Almaty–Delhi and Almaty–Mumbai routes, with Air India placing its “AI” code on these flights. The arrangement allows passengers to enjoy through check-in for baggage and single-ticket travel, simplifying the journey to Kazakhstan’s commercial hub of Almaty—an emerging center for both tourism and business in the region.
Strengthening Bilateral Links
Commenting on the development, Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, said:
“Our new codeshare partnership with Air Astana creates stronger air links to Kazakhstan, a fast-growing market with immense potential for tourism. Beyond leisure travel, the agreement will also support trade and cultural exchanges while bringing a new Central Asian destination closer to our customers.”
Air Astana Group CEO Peter Foster emphasized India’s importance for the Kazakh carrier’s network expansion:
“We are delighted to have concluded this comprehensive codeshare agreement with Asia’s oldest airline. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing travel markets and of key strategic significance to Air Astana. This agreement will help accelerate the strong business, tourist, and student traffic flows between our two countries.”
Expanding Beyond Point-to-Point Travel
The codeshare builds on an interline agreement signed earlier in 2025. Under that arrangement, Air India customers already benefit from onward connections via Almaty to Central Asia and China, including Astana, Bishkek, Tashkent, Dushanbe, and Urumqi. Conversely, Air Astana gains access to 18 destinations across Air India’s domestic network and nine international destinations through Delhi and Mumbai.
With the step-up to codeshare status, travelers can now look forward to greater convenience through seamless booking, check-in, and expanded network coverage.
Next Steps
Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively rolled out for booking via Air India’s website, mobile app, and global travel agency partners. The partnership is expected to boost not only leisure traffic but also trade, education, and cultural exchange between India and Kazakhstan, further cementing air links between South Asia and Central Asia.
