Tata Group-owned Air India has entered into a codeshare agreement with AIX Connect, which was formerly known as Air Asia India. Under the codeshare agreement, an airline can sell seats on flights operated by another airline, with each airline using its flight number.

"Air India will add its 'AI' designator code to over 100 flights a day operated by AIX Connect on 21 routes. More routes under the codeshare agreement will be added progressively. Bookings for the codeshare flights are being opened across points of sale, for travel starting 27 September 2023," Air India says in a statement.

"The codeshare implementation enables Air India guests to connect seamlessly on AIX Connect’s route network to and from over 80 points across Air India’s extensive domestic and international network," it adds. AIX Connect is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, which is in the process of being integrated into Air India Express, another wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India.

With the implementation of the codeshare agreement, Air India has added four new domestic routes, namely Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Surat, in addition to the common destinations between the two airlines’ route networks, according to the airline. "Customers from these originating cities will be able to connect to Air India’s wide international network over hubs at Delhi and Mumbai. The codeshare agreement also enables AIX Connect to leverage Air India’s global distribution network, via the airline’s direct channels as well as its global travel agency network," says Air India.

As per the airline, under the codeshare agreement, the domestic travellers will receive their boarding passes at the first point of departure for all the travel sectors on a single ticket and will have their baggage checked in through to their final destination. However, international passengers will be required to clear customs at the first point of entry in India, in line with government regulations, says the airline.

In August this year, Air India cornered a market share of 9.8%. Notably, Tata Group is aiming to consolidate all its airlines under one umbrella over the past several months. Earlier this month, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the merger of Tata SIA Airlines Limited, which operates Vistara, with Air India subject to certain conditions. The merger is expected to be completed by March 2024. After the merger, Air India will be the only Indian airline group to operate both full-service and low-cost passenger services. It'll also be able to optimise its route network and resource utilisation, which will help it tap demand across market segments.

"Air India will add its ‘AI’ designator code to over 100 flights a day operated by AIX Connect on 21 routes. More routes under the codeshare agreement will be added progressively. Bookings for the codeshare flights are being opened across points of sale, for travel starting 27 September 2023," Air India says in a statement.

With the implementation of the codeshare agreement, Air India has added four new domestic routes, namely Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Surat, in addition to the common destinations between the two airlines’ route networks, according to the airline. “Customers from these originating cities will be able to connect to Air India’s wide international network over hubs at Delhi and Mumbai. The codeshare agreement also enables AIX Connect to leverage Air India’s global distribution network, via the airline’s direct channels as well as its global travel agency network,” says Air India.

Tata Group-owned Air India

Air India enters codeshare agreement with AIX Connect for 100 flights, 21 routes