MUMBAI- Akasa Air (QP) and Etihad Airways (EY) have signed a codeshare agreement to form a partnership that enhances international service offerings.
The codeshare agreement enables Etihad to market and sell tickets on Akasa Air’s flights, signaling a pivotal expansion of the airline’s operational reach.
Etihad and Akasa Air Codeshare
The partnership emerges amidst a complex backdrop of ongoing debates within the Indian aviation sector regarding bilateral rights allocation.
While Air India (AI) and SpiceJet (SG) advocate for developing major Indian airport hubs, Akasa Air (QP) and IndiGo (6E) support a comprehensive analytical approach to international route negotiations.
Codeshare partnerships allow airlines to sell seats on each other’s flights, creating seamless connectivity for travelers. The bilateral rights framework governs international air travel, defining operational parameters between nations.
Industry sources told Business Standard, that the partnership will activate in March or April next year (2025), with Akasa Air intensifying its presence at Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH), UAE.
The airline currently operates a daily Mumbai (BOM) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) route and plans to introduce additional daily flights connecting Ahmedabad (AMD) and Bengaluru (BLR) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) during the upcoming summer season.
West Asian carriers have persistently requested increased bilateral rights to expand flight operations to and from India.
However, Indian carriers like Air India Express (IX) have qualms, arguing that excessive bilateral allocations could potentially compromise their long-haul expansion strategies.
Potential of Airlines Partnership
At the CAPA India Aviation Summit 2024, Air India (AI) CEO Campbell Wilson emphasized the risks of granting additional bilateral rights. He stated, “Indian carriers have ordered over 1,000 aircraft, committing over $100 billion. If bilateral rights are expanded, it could undermine our ability to profitably operate these planes.”
Wilson highlighted how Gulf hubs redirect Indian traffic, affecting India’s economy and reducing opportunities for direct long-haul travel from India to destinations in North America and Europe.
The new codeshare partnership reflects Akasa Air’s ambitions to grow its international footprint while navigating complex challenges in Indian aviation policy.
Other Latest Codeshare Partnership
Etihad Airways (EY) launches a strategic bilateral codeshare with Air Astana (KC), effective December 5, 2024, marking a significant expansion of international connectivity. This partnership provides Etihad direct access to 10 new destinations through Air Astana in Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ).
Kazakhstan’s aviation emerges as a focus point of this collaboration, highlighting two pivotal cities.
The codeshare agreement streamlines passenger travel experience through integrated booking and check-in processes. Travelers benefit from seamless baggage transfer and simplified transit mechanisms, eliminating traditional complexities associated with multi-carrier journeys.
Air Astana’s network becomes strategically accessible through Etihad’s recently established nonstop flights to Abu Dhabi (AUH).
The partnership extends beyond operational convenience, offering passengers expanded travel opportunities across multiple countries. Air Astana passengers can now access Etihad’s routes to India, Bahrain, and Oman, leveraging convenient connections in Abu Dhabi through direct flights from Astana and Almaty
Feature Image by Siddh Dhuri | Instagram
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