Our Bureau
New Delhi
Air India and Kenya Airways have officially launched a new codeshare partnership, significantly enhancing travel connectivity between India, Africa, and several key destinations across Asia and Australia. This collaboration aims to provide seamless travel options for passengers flying from cities such as Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Malé, Melbourne, and Singapore to major hubs in Mumbai, Delhi, and Nairobi.
Under the terms of the agreement, Air India will place its ‘AI’ code on Kenya Airways’ twice-daily flights between Nairobi and Mumbai. This arrangement allows travelers to connect via Mumbai to various destinations in Southeast Asia and Australia. Likewise, Kenya Airways will add its ‘KQ’ code to Air India’s flights between Delhi and Nairobi, facilitating better connectivity for African travelers heading to India.
This codeshare partnership builds upon an existing interline agreement between the two airlines, which already allowed for multi-leg journeys on a single ticket. The new arrangement simplifies ticketing and baggage policies, ensuring a hassle-free experience for passengers. Travelers can now enjoy a unified baggage policy and book their entire journey through either airline’s platforms.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India, stated that this partnership aligns with the airline’s strategic vision of expanding its global footprint. He emphasized that the codeshare will significantly benefit guests of both airlines while contributing to the overall growth of air travel between India and Africa. Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about the expanded partnership that opens new opportunities for passengers.
The codeshare agreement enhances connectivity to 28 African cities—including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Addis Ababa, and Dar es Salaam—and 15 Indian destinations such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, and Hyderabad. This expansion allows travelers from Nairobi not only to reach Mumbai but also to connect easily to various locations in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Travelers can now book flights under this new codeshare agreement through official airline channels or travel agents. The airlines are committed to progressively expanding their codeshare destinations in the future, further reinforcing their dedication to global connectivity.
This development represents a significant advancement in international aviation connectivity between Africa and the Indian subcontinent. With Air India’s extensive network in India and Kenya Airways’ reach across Africa, passengers can expect a more integrated travel experience tailored to meet their diverse needs.
