Thursday, January 15, 2026
India–Saudi Travel Gets Easier as Air India and Saudia Launch Codeshare Flights
Travel between India and Saudi Arabia will become easier starting in February, thanks to a new codeshare agreement between Air India and Saudia (Saudi Airlines). This partnership will give passengers more flight choices, smoother connections, and simpler onward travel between the two countries.
More Saudi cities on one ticket
Under the new agreement, Air India passengers flying to Jeddah or Riyadh can easily connect to Saudia-operated flights to several other Saudi cities. These include Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah, and Taif.
The addition of a Jeddah–Riyadh codeshare route also allows travelers to arrive in one city and depart from another, making travel more flexible. This is especially helpful for business travelers and tourists. Trending: Public Prosecution warns of sharing Personal information without permission
Later this year, the partnership will expand further with connections to selected international destinations, increasing its value beyond direct India–Saudi Arabia flights.
Easier access to India’s major cities
The agreement benefits Saudia passengers as well. Travelers flying with Saudia will be able to reach many Indian cities through Mumbai and Delhi. These include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Jaipur.
In addition, more than 15 extra Indian destinations will be available through interline connections, giving travelers wider access across India for business, tourism, or family visits.
Strengthening travel ties between India and Saudi Arabia
Commenting on the partnership, Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India, said Saudi Arabia is one of Air India’s most important markets in the Middle East. He noted that the country is quickly becoming a major international gateway.
He added that the partnership will improve connectivity for the large Indian community living in Saudi Arabia and also help Indian tourists explore Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector and diverse destinations.
From Saudia’s side, Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said the agreement is a strategic move that builds on decades of strong aviation ties between the two countries. He emphasized that the goal is to make travel simpler and more convenient for passengers. Most Viewed: 1.7 Million riyals fine on 10 pharmacies for violating regulations
He also said that it is now easier for Indians to travel to Saudi Arabia because they may get e-visas, stopover visas, and visas on arrival if they have the right passport.
Part of Air India’s global expansion
This codeshare deal is part of Air India’s larger international growth strategy. Since its privatization in 2022, the airline has expanded to 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements.
As a result, Air India customers now have access to more than 800 destinations worldwide, significantly improving global connectivity.
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| India–Saudi Travel Gets Easier as Air India and Saudia Launch Codeshare Flights |
