Air India has signed a cooperation framework agreement with joint-venture partner Singapore Airlines, signalling a deepening of ties that will deliver expanded route options, synchronised flight timings and smoother connections for passengers.

The agreement was signed in Mumbai on Friday between Air India chief executive officer and managing director Campbell Wilson, and SIA chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong.

“Air India and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a commercial cooperation framework agreement, which will pave the way for them to deepen their long-standing partnership through definitive joint business agreements. This strengthened collaboration allows the airlines to explore ways to improve connectivity between Singapore and India, delivering greater choice and benefits for customers,” Air India said in a press statement.

Air India plans to broaden and upgrade its products and services, offering passengers smoother connections, a wider choice of routes, and the ability to book itineraries across both carriers as a single, integrated journey. The collaboration also aims to have closer alignment of flight schedules between Air India and SIA to enhance customer convenience.

Benefit for business travellers

There is also a plan to have cross-participation in the airlines’ corporate travel programmes for business travellers. The two airlines will also explore expanding reciprocal benefits beyond existing Star Alliance entitlements for members of Air India’s Maharaja Club and Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer programmes, according to the press statement.

Air India and Singapore Airlines will also examine opportunities to extend their partnership into select markets beyond India and Singapore, subject to regulatory clearances. “This would meet the growing demand for global connectivity, support traffic flow through both carriers’ hubs, and strengthen the air travel markets of both India and Singapore,” Air India said.

Today, the airlines codeshare on 61 points in 20 countries and territories. SIA holds a 25.1% equity stake in the Air India Group.

“Air India remains committed to expanding its global footprint. We are pleased to take our valued, long-term relationship with Singapore Airlines to the next level through this new commercial cooperation understanding, which establishes a clear and structured platform for both airlines to explore and define future areas of closer collaboration,” Mr. Wilson was quoted in the statement.

“It is a strategic, win-win collaboration that will strengthen connectivity between Singapore and India, support the growth of air travel and tourism in both countries, and deepen their long-standing business and people-to-people ties,” Mr. Phong was quoted.