Air India signs codeshare deal with Virgin Australia

Air India and Virgin Australia have signed a codeshare agreement to improve connectivity between India and Australia.

Under the partnership, India’s only full-service carrier will place its ‘AI’ code on select Virgin Australia flights for hassle-free travel beyond Melbourne and Sydney.

Air India will be able to connect to 16 destinations in Australia and New Zealand, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, and Queenstown.

Passengers traveling on a single ticket will have their baggage checked through to their final destination, the company said.

“The partnership provides greater ease and access for the large Indian diaspora across the continent, while also opening up a range of destinations for holidaymakers wanting to explore Australia’s iconic attractions,” Air India chief commercial officer Nipun Aggarwal said in a joint statement.

Air India currently operates daily non-stop flights from Delhi to Melbourne and Sydney using Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Codeshare bookings began on 11 February and the first flights under the agreement will operate from 18 February, Tuesday.