Air India, Singapore Airlines to deepen ties with ‘cooperation framework’

Airlines said the agreement could include expanding both carriers’ corporate travel programmes

Air India and Singapore Airlines on Friday announced an agreement to improve cooperation between the two flag carriers, a step towards offering more routes, coordinating schedules and broadening the scope of their collaboration outside their home markets.

The pact, described by the two airlines as a “commercial cooperation framework agreement”, comes as Air India faces a financial hit from an airspace ban imposed by Pakistan, which has forced the airline to discontinue some routes to the U.S. from India.

The airlines said the agreement could include expanding both carriers’ corporate travel programmes, a key source of high-yield revenue for airlines.

The pact is subject to regulatory approvals and signing of definitive agreements, the airlines added.

Air India already has a codesharing agreement with Singapore Airlines, which owns a 25% stake in the company. Tata Group owns the remaining 75%.