New Delhi, 24 July (H.S.): Tata Group-owned Air India and Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation in the aviation sector.

The agreement aims to enhance their existing codeshare partnership, improve network connectivity and explore wider commercial collaboration opportunities between the two airlines.

In a post shared on social media platform X, Air India said the MoU builds on the existing codeshare arrangement between the two carriers while creating new opportunities for operational and commercial cooperation.

The agreement was signed by Saudia Group Director General Engineer Ibrahim Al-Omar and Air India Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Campbell Wilson.

Air India said the partnership will focus on improving connectivity across both airlines’ networks, strengthening cooperation in customer experience and loyalty programmes, and creating greater value for passengers travelling between India, Saudi Arabia and other international destinations.

The airline added that the MoU also provides a framework to explore expanding the partnership to other carriers within their respective groups, including Air India Express and Flyadeal. Such an expansion could offer passengers wider connectivity options and enhanced travel flexibility.

The partnership comes at a time when passenger traffic between India and Saudi Arabia has been witnessing steady growth, driven by increasing business, tourism, employment and religious travel links between the two countries.

The expanded cooperation between Air India and Saudia is expected to further strengthen aviation ties between India and Saudi Arabia while providing travellers with improved route options and seamless connectivity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar