Virgin Australia and Air India have commenced a new codeshare partnership that will greatly boost connectivity between the two nations.
The unilateral codeshare agreement enables Air India to place its ‘AI’ code on flights operated by Virgin Australia.
This enhances the opportunities for travel from Delhi to Melbourne or Sydney and seamless onward connections with Virgin Australia to 16 destinations in Australia and New Zealand.
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The enhanced cooperation will also ensure that passengers travelling on a single ticket will have their baggage checked through the entire journey.
The 16 cities in Australia and New Zealand include: Adelaide, Ballina/Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Queenstown (New Zealand), Sunshine Coast, and Sydney.
“We are pleased to partner with Air India to make it easier for their customers to explore everything Australia has to offer,” Virgin Australia chief strategy and transformation officer, Alistair Hartley said.
“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.”
Air India COO Nipun Aggarwal echoed the excitement surrounding the news.
“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,” Aggarwal said.
“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 Gold Coast, discover Tasmania, or to explore the natural wonders of The Great Barrier Reef.”
Air India operates 14 weekly flights from India to Australia, flying non-stop daily from Delhi to Melbourne and Delhi to Sydney. The airline utilises its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on these routes, featuring 18 flat beds in Business Class and 238 spacious seats in Economy Class. Air India customers taking onward flights on
Virgin Australia flights within Australia and New Zealand will enjoy world-class Business and Economy Class cabins, and award-winning service.
