DNA
NEW DELHI: Riyadh Air and Air India on Thursday announced a new partnership agreement to meet growing demand for Saudi-India travel and better connect both countries to global destinations.
Saudi Arabia is the second-most visited destination for Indians, with about 3.4 million Indian tourists visiting the Kingdom in 2025, making up about 10 percent of the country’s outbound tourism.
The two flag carriers have signed a memorandum of understanding that could introduce both interline and codeshare arrangements in the near future, subject to regulatory approvals, Air India said in a statement.
“The two airlines will also explore collaboration across a range of areas, including reciprocal loyalty program benefits, cargo services, operational support and digital and technology initiatives designed to enhance the guest experience,” the statement reads.
“The partnership supports growing demand for travel linked to business, tourism and family visits, reflecting the deep economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Saudi Arabia and India.”
India is expected to become the world’s fourth-largest outbound tourism market by 2035, behind the US, China and Germany, the London-based research consultancy Capital Economics said last year.
“India and Saudi Arabia are two important growth markets in global aviation today, and the scale and momentum in both countries make this a natural partnership,” Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said in the statement.
Earlier in February, Air India entered into a new codeshare agreement with Saudi Arabia’s first flag carrier, Saudia, which gives their passengers streamlined booking and ticketing, smooth connections with a single itinerary, and baggage check-through to their final destinations.
Riyadh Air’s new partnership with Air India “reflects the deep and cultural and economic bonds” between the two countries, its CEO, Tony Douglas, said.
“India is one of the most important and dynamic aviation markets in the world, and this partnership with Air India marks a defining step in Riyadh Air’s mission to connect Saudi Arabia with key global destinations,” he added.
