Air India and Singapore Airlines on Oct. 15 will expand their codeshare agreement to cover 126 weekly flights as part of the "framework agreement" the carriers signed in January on the path toward a joint venture, the carriers announced Wednesday.
The expansion covers flights between Singapore and eight Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai, according ot the carriers.
The expansion is a result of the removal on Oct. 15 of a requirement that eligible Air India-operated codeshare flights booked through Singapore Airlines must include an SIA-operated flight, and vice versa. The change means that customers will be allowed to book eligible flights between India and Singapore operated by either carrier on a standalone basis through the other carrier's website, mobile app and travel agencies, according to the carriers.
In addition, from the second quarter of 2027, India Air Maharaja Club and Singapore KrisFlyer loyalty members will have access to enhanced reciprocal benefits on eligible routes, in addition to their existing Star Alliance privileges. Those benefits will include priority check-in and boarding privileges for Maharaja Club Platinum and KrisFlyer PPS Club members, "alongside other top-tier members of the respective airlines." Maharaja Club Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Silver members also will receive additional baggage allowances and priority boarding benefits on eligible routes.
Singapore Airlines owns 25.1 percent of Air India Group following the merger in November 2024 of Vistara into Air India. Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons, which owns the remaining share of Air India, jointly launched the low-cost Vistara in 2015.
Air India has been struggling with recent financial losses and in August was reported to be seeking $1.5 billion in "fresh equity" from its two owners, according to Reuters.