Air India and Kenya Airways Forge New Codeshare Partnership
Air India, the national carrier of India owned by the Tata Group, and Kenya Airways, one of Africa’s most modern airlines, have announced a strategic codeshare partnership to enhance connectivity between India and Africa. This newly signed agreement, revealed on January 30, 2025, builds upon their existing interline collaboration, demonstrating both airlines’ commitment to expanding their global reach and improving passenger experiences.
Under the new codeshare agreement, Air India will assign its ‘AI’ two-letter flight prefix to the twice-daily Boeing 737 flights operated by Kenya Airways between Nairobi and Mumbai. This partnership allows passengers traveling from Nairobi and other destinations to seamlessly connect to a wide array of destinations served by Air India from Mumbai. Key destinations include Bangkok (Thailand), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Malé (The Maldives), Melbourne (Australia), and Singapore. This expanded network provides travelers with more options and greater convenience, leveraging a single ticket and a unified baggage policy for a hassle-free travel experience.
Additionally, the agreement enables Kenya Airways to use its ‘KQ’ prefix on Air India-operated flights between Delhi and Nairobi. This arrangement facilitates easier travel for Kenya Airways passengers across Africa to reach Delhi, enhancing connectivity and offering more flexible travel options. Passengers can now effortlessly book itineraries that cover 28 destinations in Africa, such as Accra, Addis Ababa, Dar Es Salaam, Harare, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Seychelles, Kilimanjaro, Mombasa, and Zanzibar, alongside 15 major cities in India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
The partnership is expected to significantly benefit passengers by providing seamless connections and expanding the range of destinations available within both airlines’ networks. “Deepening our partnership with Kenya Airways aligns perfectly with Air India’s strategic vision of expanding our global footprint and strengthening our position in key markets,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India. He added, “Our codeshare partnership will provide significant benefits to guests of both airlines and contribute to the overall growth of air travel between India and Africa.”
Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer of Kenya Airways, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Air India, which will open up significant opportunities for our passengers. This codeshare agreement allows us to offer seamless connections to a wider range of destinations across both airlines’ networks, making travel easier and more convenient.”
The collaboration between Air India and Kenya Airways is poised to enhance the travel experience by offering more flight options, improved scheduling flexibility, and greater ease of booking across both carriers’ extensive networks. As part of the agreement, passengers will benefit from streamlined services, including coordinated schedules and shared facilities, which aim to make their journeys smoother and more efficient.
Looking ahead, Air India and Kenya Airways plan to gradually incorporate additional destinations into their codeshare arrangement. This phased approach will allow both airlines to assess and expand their partnership based on evolving market demands and passenger needs. By continuously enhancing their cooperation, Air India and Kenya Airways aim to create a robust and dynamic travel network that meets the diverse requirements of travelers between India and Africa.
The establishment of this codeshare partnership comes at a time when both airlines are focused on strengthening their market positions and responding to the growing demand for international travel. With Air India’s extensive network across Asia and beyond, and Kenya Airways’ strong presence in Africa, the partnership is set to unlock new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
In summary, the codeshare partnership between Air India and Kenya Airways marks a significant milestone in their ongoing collaboration, offering enhanced connectivity and greater convenience for passengers traveling between India and Africa. As both airlines continue to build on their existing relationship, this agreement is expected to drive increased passenger traffic, improve service offerings, and solidify their positions as leading carriers in their respective regions.
For more information on flight options and to book your next journey, visit Air India’s official website or Kenya Airways’ official website.
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