New Delhi: Air connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia is set to receive a significant boost from February, as Saudia and Air India roll out a new codeshare agreement aimed at offering passengers smoother travel, wider route options and greater flexibility.
The partnership reflects strengthening travel, business and people-to-people ties between the two countries, driven by rising tourism and a growing Indian diaspora in the Kingdom. Under the arrangement, passengers flying with either airline will be able to book a single ticket for their entire journey, enjoy seamless transfers and have baggage checked through to their final destination.
An airline official said the agreement would substantially expand Saudia’s reach within India by leveraging Air India’s domestic network via Mumbai and Delhi. Through these hubs, Saudia passengers will gain access to major Indian cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow and Jaipur, along with more than 15 additional destinations available on an interline basis.
Similarly, travellers flying Air India into Jeddah or Riyadh will be able to connect onward on Saudia-operated services to several Saudi cities, including Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah and Taif. The inclusion of codeshare flights on the busy Jeddah–Riyadh route will also allow passengers to arrive in one Saudi city and depart from another, a feature expected to benefit both business and leisure travellers. Connections to select international destinations beyond Saudi Arabia are planned to be added later this year.
Saudia Group Director General Ibrahim Al-Omar described the agreement as a strategic move that builds on the long-standing presence of both airlines in each other’s markets. He said the partnership would strengthen bilateral connectivity while offering travellers access to a broader network through simplified travel processes. Al-Omar also highlighted Saudia’s over six-decade-long operations in India and noted that initiatives such as e-visas, stopover visas and visa-on-arrival for eligible Indian passport holders have made travel to Saudi Arabia increasingly convenient.
Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said Saudi Arabia remains one of the airline’s most important markets in the Middle East, particularly as the Kingdom positions itself as a major global aviation and tourism hub. He added that the partnership with Saudia would improve access for the large Indian community living in Saudi Arabia while also promoting the Kingdom’s expanding tourism offerings to Indian travellers.
