New interline partnership connects more destinations through Dubai, Delhi and Mumbai on a single ticket
Air India and flydubai have entered into a new interline partnership that will give passengers travelling between the UAE, India and other international markets access to a wider range of connecting destinations.
Under the agreement, Air India passengers will gain access to 52 additional destinations served by flydubai through Dubai. These include 23 destinations in Europe, 21 in the Middle East, six in Africa and two in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
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In the opposite direction, flydubai passengers will be able to connect to 69 destinations on Air India’s network through Delhi and Mumbai
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The arrangement combines the two airlines’ networks and is expected to provide additional options for Indian residents in the UAE travelling for family visits, business or onward international journeys
A key feature is the ability to book connecting journeys on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to the final destination. This can reduce the need for passengers to make separate bookings when travelling across the two networks.
The agreement also provides connections to Indian cities beyond the major gateways, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Chandigarh, Goa, Jaipur, Pune and Varanasi. International destinations accessible through Air India include Bali, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
For the UAE’s large Indian diaspora, the partnership could be particularly relevant during periods of strong visiting-friends-and-relatives travel. However, the airlines have clarified that the agreement itself does not represent the launch of new direct routes or additional frequencies. Its main purpose is to combine existing networks and offer more itinerary choices.
The partnership comes ahead of Air India’s winter schedule, running from October 26 through March. Air India said the group expects to operate 272 weekly flights between India and the UAE, including services by Air India and Air India Express, subject to individual route frequencies.
flydubai said its interline network now covers 46 airline partners and more than 300 destinations worldwide, following the addition of Air India and Uzbekistan Airways.
