Photo: Air India Air India and Riyadh Air have signed a memorandum of understanding that could significantly expand travel options between India, Saudi Arabia, and destinations across Europe and beyond.
The agreement lays the groundwork for a strategic partnership between the two full-service carriers, with plans to introduce interline and codeshare arrangements subject to regulatory approvals. Once implemented, travelers would be able to book journeys across both airlines' networks under a single reservation, making connections through Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh more seamless.
The partnership comes as demand for travel between India and Saudi Arabia continues to grow, driven by business links, tourism, and strong cultural and family connections between the two countries.
Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said the partnership reflects the growing importance of both markets in global aviation.
“India and Saudi Arabia are two important growth markets in global aviation today,” Wilson said, adding that the collaboration would offer travelers more choice and improved connectivity across the combined networks.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas described India as one of the world's most dynamic aviation markets and said the agreement marks an important step in the airline's plans to connect Saudi Arabia with major international destinations.
Beyond passenger services, the airlines will explore cooperation in areas including loyalty program benefits, cargo services, operational support, and technology initiatives designed to improve the customer experience.
The deal also highlights Air India's continued push to strengthen its global network following its privatization in 2022. The carrier currently maintains 25 codeshare partnerships and more than 120 interline agreements, giving customers access to over 1,000 destinations worldwide.
Meanwhile, Riyadh Air is preparing for the launch of its first flights to London Heathrow Airport on July 1. The route is expected to provide Indian travelers with additional one stop connections to the United Kingdom and Europe through Riyadh.
As Riyadh Air prepares to begin operations and Air India continues its international expansion, the new partnership signals closer aviation ties between two of the fastest growing travel markets in the region.