Categories: Travel

Air India embarks on major network expansion & interline agreement with Alaska Airlines, ET TravelWorld

Tata Group-owned Air India is set to make significant strides in its operations, both by expanding its route network and forming a crucial interline partnership with Alaska Airlines. These moves are poised to bring enhanced connectivity and convenience for travellers.

The airline has announced its ambitious plan to increase its weekly flights significantly by adding over 400 flights to both domestic and international routes by March 2024. With more than 200 weekly flights planned for Indian cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, Air India is committed to strengthening its domestic network.

On the international front, over 80 weekly flights have already been added as part of this expansion effort. Additionally, the airline is preparing to unveil four new international destinations in the coming months.

To kickstart this expansion, Air India has already boosted weekly flight frequencies on eight international routes, touching key destinations in Southeast Asia, the United States, and Europe. This includes routes such as Mumbai-Singapore, Delhi-Bangkok, Delhi-Dhaka, and many more.

In line with these expansion plans, Air India expects to induct more than 30 widebody and narrowbody aircraft into its fleet by March 2024, featuring A350s, B777s, and A320neos.

Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India, said, “While modernising our fleet and introducing
new products and services is a top priority in Air India’s ongoing transformation journey, we are
equally focused on densifying and expanding our route network to capture the rapidly growing
demand in the market. The next few months are exciting for Air India and our guests, indeed.”

The non-stop service will operate three times a week, providing a convenient and efficient connection between the vibrant city of Mumbai and the cultural hub of Melbourne. Air India is the exclusive non-stop operator connecting these two cities, offering a streamlined travel experience for passengers. The introduction of the Mumbai-Melbourne route presents an annual increase of nearly 40,000 available seats into the Australian state of Victoria.

Interline partnership with Alaska Airlines
Simultaneously, Air India has entered into a strategic interline partnership with Alaska Airlines, strengthening its international reach with connections to and from 32 destinations in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The scope of this agreement encompasses bilateral interlining, allowing both airlines to sell tickets on each other’s networks, and a Special Prorate Agreement enabling ‘through fares’ on Alaska Airlines routes. Moreover, passengers can enjoy Air India’s free baggage allowance on Alaska Airlines flights.Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer at Air India, expressed, “The tie-up with Alaska Air will expand our international footprint in the US and Canada and even extend our reach to Mexico, boosting our network expansion plans. It will help us offer more choice to our guests and mark a significant step forward in our mission to enhance connectivity.”

Air India currently operates 47 non-stop flights every week from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to five American cities, with 14 non-stop flights weekly from Delhi to Canadian cities, Toronto, and Vancouver.