Air India and airBaltic Forge New Partnership Expanding India-Europe Travel Routes

Summary – Air India and airBaltic announce a codeshare agreement to enhance connectivity between India and Europe with expanded routes including seamless Baltic connections.,

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The newly established codeshare agreement between Air India and airBaltic, announced in December 2025, aims to significantly improve travel connectivity between India and Europe. This partnership leverages airBaltic’s Baltic hub to provide seamless connections, thereby enhancing access to multiple European destinations for travelers from both regions.

Key Participants

The agreement involves two major carriers:

• Air India – The flag carrier airline of India.
• airBaltic – Latvia’s flag carrier and an important player in Baltic and European aviation.

Both airlines share the strategic goal of expanding their international reach and improving passenger convenience.

Details of the Agreement

Following months of negotiations, the deal was finalized in early December 2025. The partnership entails:

1. Air India marketing and selling tickets for airBaltic-operated flights connecting Scandinavia and the Baltic states to various European destinations.
2. airBaltic selling tickets on Air India’s long-haul flights from India to key European cities, including onward connecting flights.

Official Comments

An official spokesperson from Air India highlighted that this partnership provides customers with greater flexibility and access across Europe, noting the Baltic hub’s excellent connectivity to many previously less accessible European capitals.

Similarly, airBaltic’s CEO expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing that the Riga hub will facilitate smoother transfers and foster stronger tourism and business links between India and Europe.

Impact and Benefits

The new codeshare agreement is expected to:

• Increase passenger traffic for both carriers.
• Reduce layover times.
• Offer more competitive pricing options.
• Support economic and tourism growth between India, the Baltic region, and broader Europe.

European Reception

European Union transport officials have welcomed the agreement, recognizing it as a positive advance in international aviation cooperation. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport highlighted the potential for enhanced connectivity and related economic benefits across member states and their partners.

Future Developments

The codeshare flights are planned to be introduced gradually starting in early 2026. Both airlines intend to undertake ongoing evaluations and expand the partnership’s scope. Additional joint marketing efforts and schedule optimizations will aim to maximize the collaboration’s advantages.

This partnership represents a significant milestone in improving air travel between India and Europe, especially through the Baltic region, promising improved convenience and access for passengers in the near future.

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