Air India & Virgin Australia Codeshare Partnership
Air India and Virgin Australia have joined forces to launch an innovative codeshare agreement that promises to transform travel options for Indian passengers arriving in Australia. Announced on February 17, 2025, this partnership is a strategic response to the increasing demand from Indian travelers who are eager to explore beyond Australia’s major cities of Sydney and Melbourne. With this collaboration, Air India passengers will now enjoy seamless connectivity to 16 regional destinations across Australia and New Zealand—all on a single ticket with their baggage checked through to the final destination.
Under the new agreement, travelers arriving on Air India’s 14 weekly Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights from India will have the convenience of connecting to a broad network of Virgin Australia flights. Currently, Air India operates daily non-stop flights from Delhi to both Melbourne and Sydney, serving as critical gateways into the Australian market. Now, once passengers land in these cities, they can easily transfer to Virgin Australia flights that serve a diverse range of regional locales.
The 16 cities included in this codeshare network cover some of the most sought-after destinations in the region. Passengers can now venture to iconic cities and tourist hotspots such as Adelaide, Ballina/Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, and Perth. For those with a taste for international travel, the codeshare also extends to Queenstown in New Zealand and the Sunshine Coast, further enhancing the region’s accessibility. This expanded network is expected to boost tourism and provide more travel options for both leisure and business travelers.
Alistair Hartley, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Virgin Australia, commented on the partnership: “We are pleased to partner with Air India to make it easier for their customers to explore everything Australia has to offer. India is a growing tourism market for Australia and this partnership will encourage travellers arriving on one of Air India’s 14 weekly flights to explore more of our wonderful country thanks to seamless onward connections on the Virgin Australia network.” Hartley’s remarks underscore the shared vision of both airlines to create a more interconnected travel experience that benefits passengers and supports the growth of tourism in the region.
Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal, added, “Australia is one of Air India’s most important international markets, so it is incredibly exciting for us to be partnering with Virgin Australia to expand our presence in the region. While the partnership provides greater ease and access for the large Indian diaspora spread across the continent, it also opens up a whole new range of destinations for holidaymakers wanting to soak up the beaches of the Gold Coast, discover Tasmania, or explore the natural wonders of The Great Barrier Reef.” Aggarwal’s enthusiasm reflects Air India’s commitment to not only serving its existing customer base but also tapping into new travel markets.
The unilateral codeshare arrangement allows Air India to place its “AI” code on flights operated by Virgin Australia, simplifying booking processes and ensuring a smoother travel experience for customers. The new service is set to launch on February 18, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for both airlines as they look to strengthen their positions in the increasingly competitive Asia-Pacific market.
By bridging long-haul international flights with robust regional connectivity, this codeshare agreement represents a major step forward in creating a more integrated and passenger-friendly travel network—opening up new opportunities for exploration and economic growth across Australia and New Zealand.
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