GURUGRAM- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) and Saudi Arabia-based Riyadh Air (RX) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a partnership that connects travellers across India, Saudi Arabia, and points beyond. The agreement covers planned interline and codeshare arrangements linking their hubs at Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Riyadh (RUH).
Both full-service premium carriers aim to expand global connectivity for guests, with the deal also opening a future onward path to London Heathrow (LHR), where Riyadh Air launches service on July 1. Final implementation remains subject to regulatory approvals in both countries.
Air India and Riyadh Air Build a Cross-Network Partnership
The MoU sets the foundation for a tie-up between two carriers that share similar premium positioning and strong growth ambitions. Air India serves as India’s leading global airline, while Riyadh Air operates as Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier. The agreement reflects a shared goal of strengthening links between two of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.
Subject to regulatory clearance, the two airlines intend to introduce interline and codeshare arrangements. These will allow guests to travel across each other’s networks using a single booking, with smoother onward connections through their respective hubs.
The structure gives travellers more route choices while reducing the friction of booking separate tickets for connecting journeys.
The carriers plan to use the geographical strengths of their hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh to channel traffic efficiently between the two nations and onward markets. The partnership targets rising demand tied to business, tourism, and family travel, reflecting the deep economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Saudi Arabia and India.
Scope of Collaboration Beyond Codeshare
The two airlines will explore cooperation across several operational and commercial areas. These include reciprocal loyalty programme benefits, cargo services, operational support, and digital and technology initiatives. Each area focuses on improving the overall guest experience rather than network expansion alone.
Reciprocal loyalty benefits would let frequent flyers earn and use rewards across both carriers. Cargo collaboration and shared operational support point to deeper backend cooperation, while the technology track signals a focus on smoother digital touchpoints for travellers.
Executive Remarks
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, described India and Saudi Arabia as two important growth markets in global aviation. He said the scale and momentum in both countries make the tie-up a natural fit, with a focus on offering guests more choice across the combined networks and elevating their travel experiences.
Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air, called India one of the most important and dynamic aviation markets in the world. He stated that the partnership marks a defining step in Riyadh Air’s mission to connect Saudi Arabia with key global destinations, with a shared goal of delivering a seamless, world-class experience.
Air India’s Growing Global Network
Air India has expanded its global alliance network significantly since its privatisation in 2022. The airline currently maintains 25 codeshare partnerships and more than 120 interline agreements with leading carriers worldwide. These arrangements give Air India customers seamless access to over 1,000 destinations across the globe.
This established framework positions Air India to integrate a new partner with relative ease, adding Riyadh Air to a network already built for wide-reaching connectivity.
Riyadh Air’s London Heathrow Launch
Riyadh Air has opened public sales on its website and app for flights to London Heathrow (LHR), with inaugural service scheduled for July 1.
The route gives Indian guests a direct gateway to the United Kingdom and Europe through seamless connections via Riyadh.
The Heathrow launch strengthens the value of the partnership for Indian travellers, creating new options for business, leisure, and family trips that route through the Saudi capital.
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