Starting in February, Air India and Saudia will introduce a new codeshare arrangement, facilitating simpler travel between India and Saudi Arabia through unified ticket bookings, enhanced connections, and a broader selection of destinations.
Great news for those traveling internationally, as air travel from India to Saudi Arabia is set to become more user-friendly.
Commencing in February 2026, Air India and Saudia will implement a new codeshare deal. The concept is simple: increased route options, better connections, and reduced complications for those traveling between these two nations.
Here’s what this means if you are considering a journey.
One Ticket, Fewer Hassles
The new codeshare means that passengers can secure their entire journey with a single ticket, even when segments are handled by the partner airline.
Luggage will be checked in all the way to the final destination, ensuring seamless transfers. No more need to manage multiple reservations or recheck your luggage during the trip.
This is a significant advantage for frequent travelers.
Expanded City Options for Air India Passengers in Saudi Arabia
If you are traveling with Air India to Jeddah or Riyadh, you can now easily connect to various cities in Saudi Arabia via Saudia. The destinations include:
- Dammam
- Abha
- Gassim
- Gizan
- Madinah
- Taif
Additionally, there’s improved flexibility on the busy route between Jeddah and Riyadh. You can arrive at one airport and depart from another without the need for complex arrangements. More international routes are anticipated to be introduced later this year.
Enhanced Access to India for Saudia Travellers
The agreement benefits both sides. Passengers of Saudia will find it easier to reach major Indian cities via Mumbai and Delhi. This encompasses:
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Kolkata
- Kochi
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Lucknow
- Jaipur
- And more…
This opens up numerous options across India for business travelers and families visiting relatives without the hassle of complex transfers.
The Importance of This Collaboration
Saudi Arabia represents a significant market for Air India, particularly due to the extensive Indian community residing and working there. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia is aggressively promoting tourism, business travel, and international linkages.
Visiting the Kingdom has also become increasingly accessible for Indian travelers. Current options include e-visas, stopover visas, and visas-on-arrival for eligible Indian citizens.
This partnership essentially eliminates barriers. It merges two independent airline networks into a streamlined, more user-friendly system.
Air India’s Expanding Global Network
Since undergoing privatization in 2022, Air India has been progressively broadening its international collaborations.
With this new arrangement, Air India now boasts 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline relationships worldwide, providing passengers with access to over 800 global destinations.
The collaboration with Saudia fits well into this broader strategy.
Broadening Global Collaborations
In 2025, Air India fortified its international footprint by expanding codeshare agreements with several global airlines, such as ANA, Air Astana, Air New Zealand, Air Mauritius, and Icelandair, among others.
Key Takeaways for Travellers
If you frequently travel between India and Saudi Arabia, or are planning to do so soon, this codeshare simplifies your journey. You can look forward to fewer connections to manage, enhanced city options, and one ticket instead of multiple.
It may not be glamorous, but it is functional. And for the majority of travelers, that is what is truly important.
Fonte: Travelo Biz
