Air India expands codeshare partnership with Lufthansa, will benefit those travelling between Europe and America
Private airline Air India on Thursday announced the expansion of its codeshare partnership with the Lufthansa Group, serving 60 additional routes across 12 cities in India and 26 cities in Europe. As part of this expansion, Air India has signed a new codeshare agreement with Austrian Airlines and expanded its existing codeshare agreements with Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines (SWISS), Air India said in a statement.
Tata Group-owned Air India said it will now offer its customers services to a total of 26 destinations in Europe and three destinations in the US apart from its gateways in Europe (Frankfurt, Vienna and Zurich). For the first time, some services operated by Lufthansa Group airlines, including Austrian Airlines, have been given the ‘AI’ designation code. Air India and three airlines of the Lufthansa Group are members of the Star Alliance.
The total number of codeshare routes will increase from 55 to nearly 100
The statement said that the expanded agreements will increase the total number of codeshare routes between Air India, Lufthansa and Swiss from 55 to nearly 100. Additionally, a new agreement between Air India and Austrian Airlines has added 26 more codeshare routes.
Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said, “We are taking this long-standing relationship to the next level. This new partnership will give our customers access to more destinations and more convenience in traveling across Europe on Lufthansa Group airlines.” Lufthansa officials said – the group is committed to India
Additionally, the airline said that the current flights of Air India and Lufthansa Group between India and Germany or Switzerland will also be covered under the expanded codeshare partnership. Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer, Lufthansa Group, said, “By further expanding our cooperation, we will expand travel options between Europe and India and provide our passengers with better access to additional destinations. The Lufthansa Group is committed to India, and we are excited about the possibilities and potential that Air India offers both as a country and as a partner.”
Air India also said that both airlines plan to add codeshare arrangements to other destinations in their networks. Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be available for sale through the airlines’ respective booking channels.
