Air India and Singapore Airlines have announced an exciting development in their partnership, expanding their codeshare agreement for the first time since 2010. This collaboration comes as Singapore Airlines acquires a 25.1% stake in combined Air India, with Air India Express becoming its wholly owned subsidiary. The expansion will bring 11 Indian cities and 40 international destinations into their network, with the winter schedule set to commence on October 27.
One of the key highlights of this expansion is the increased codeshare services between Singapore and India. The two airlines will now codeshare on flights between Singapore and Bengaluru, as well as Chennai, significantly boosting their weekly scheduled services between the two countries. This move intensifies the competition in the Indian market, with Air India, Singapore Airlines, and IndiGo all vying for a strong presence.
Furthermore, the codeshare agreement will allow Singapore Airlines to access Air India’s domestic flights to various Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. On the other hand, Air India customers will gain access to 29 destinations across Singapore Airlines’ network, spanning countries like Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam.
A significant aspect of this partnership is the opportunity for Singapore Airlines customers to connect to Air India’s international services from its hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This strategic move demonstrates Singapore Airlines’ confidence in Air India and its potential to route passengers through its network. While Air India is already upgrading its services on certain routes, such as Delhi-London, there are plans to deploy refurbished aircraft on other European destinations in the future.
The cooperation between Air India and Singapore Airlines is paving the way for a metal-neutral pact, enabling revenue sharing regardless of the operating airline. This collaboration not only benefits the airlines but also has implications for Delhi Airport, positioning it as a potential hub for international transfers. The airport’s focus on enhancing its non-aero revenue through improved facilities for transfer passengers indicates a promising future for increased connectivity.
For Singapore Airlines, expanding its presence in the Indian market is crucial for its growth strategy, especially in the face of competition from neighboring countries. With a multi-hub approach in mind, Singapore Airlines aims to leverage the vast Indian market and strengthen its partnership with Air India. The data provided by Cirium underscores the significance of this collaboration, with a substantial share of flights and seats between India and Singapore now dominated by the two airlines.
As Air India continues to forge partnerships and expand its network, revenue management will become a key factor in maximizing profitability and establishing itself as a major hub for East-West connections. The evolving landscape of the aviation industry presents opportunities for both airlines to capitalize on synergies and offer enhanced services to passengers.
The expansion of the codeshare agreement between Air India and Singapore Airlines signifies a significant step towards realizing the second hub ambitions of SIA, setting the stage for increased connectivity and convenience for travelers in the region.
