In a move that may remind many of Jet Airways’ integration of JetLite (erstwhile Air Sahara) operations into the airline, Air India has today announced a codeshare agreement with AIX Connect, which earlier used to be called AirAsia India.

Air India and AIX Connect sign a codeshare deal.

Air India today announced that it will add its ‘AI’ designator code to over 100 flights a day operated by AIX Connect on 21 routes. More routes under the codeshare agreement will be added progressively. Bookings for the codeshare flights are open for travel starting September 27, 2023.

The codeshare implementation enables Air India customers to connect on AIX Connect’s route network to and from over 80 points across Air India’s domestic and international network.

The scope of the agreement between the two airlines enables guests to receive their boarding passes at the first point of departure for all the travel sectors on a single ticket and have their baggage checked in through to their final destinations. Customers connecting from international to domestic flights will, however, need to clear customs at the first point of entry in India, in line with government regulations.

AIX Connect will honour the free baggage allowance mentioned on tickets issued by Air India. Air India customers connecting to flights operated by AIX Connect can also enjoy complimentary meals on board.

With the implementation of the codeshare agreement, Air India has expanded its domestic route network to 4 new destinations in India, namely Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Surat, in addition to the common destinations between the two airlines’ route networks. Customers from these originating cities can connect to Air India’s international network over hubs in Delhi and Mumbai.

These codeshares, however, are only being placed where an international flight is sold and a connection is required. For instance, the Surat – Delhi or Bagdogra – Delhi flights of AirAsia India/AIX Connect turn up only when you are looking to book onward connections outside the country (or vice versa).

This is an important detail because if you think you’d get the miles for a flight for intra-India travel just by booking the codeshare version of it, then that is not happening for the moment.

This codeshare strategy will play a role in Air India acquiring more customers as they go along from the stations where the full-service airline is vacating the stations and handing them over to Air Asia India / AIX Connect because their assessment does not see the role of a full-service carrier going there.

Bottomline

Air India has signed a codeshare agreement with AirAsia India/AIX Connect, which is a part of its subsidiary Air India Express. The airline, bearing the code I5, operates a fleet of A320neo aircraft across India and was legally combined with Air India Express earlier this year under the same company. Air India will add its ‘AI’ designator code to over 100 flights a day operated by AIX Connect on 21 routes for travel starting September 27, 2023. However, these codeshare flights will only be available when booked with international flights.

What do you make of the new codeshare announcement from Air India and AIX Connect?

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