Air India, Singapore Airlines sign agreement to deepen commercial cooperation

Air India and Singapore Airlines have signed a commercial cooperation framework agreement that sets the stage for a deeper partnership between the two Star Alliance carriers, including potential joint business ventures and expanded connectivity between India and Singapore. 

The agreement was signed in Mumbai on January 16, 2026, by Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson and Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong. Any expanded cooperation remains subject to regulatory approvals and the signing of definitive agreements. 

Under the framework, the airlines plan to explore closer coordination of flight schedules, expanded codesharing, and enhanced product and service offerings. The goal is to provide passengers with more seamless connections, additional route options, and the ability to book travel across both airlines as a single unified journey.  The agreement follows Pakistan’s April 2025 airspace ban, which forced Air India to suspend or reroute some US-bound services due to longer flight times and higher costs. Deeper cooperation with Singapore Airlines could help Air India preserve connectivity by offering alternative routings through Singapore while reducing duplication between the two networks. 

The carriers are also examining deeper collaboration in corporate travel programs, which could improve offerings for business travelers. In addition, Air India and Singapore Airlines said they will study ways to enhance frequent flyer benefits beyond existing Star Alliance reciprocity for members of Air India’s Maharaja Club and Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer programs. 

The agreement could eventually extend beyond routes between India and Singapore. The airlines said they plan to explore cooperation in select additional markets, subject to regulatory approval, to support growing demand for global connectivity and to strengthen traffic flows through both carriers’ hubs. 

Air India and Singapore Airlines already maintain a substantial codeshare relationship. The airlines currently codeshare on 61 destinations across 20 countries and territories, following an expansion in October 2024 that added 51 international and domestic destinations to their combined networks. 

For Air India, the agreement aligns with the carrier’s broader transformation strategy under Tata Group ownership, which includes fleet renewal, network expansion, and upgraded onboard and ground services. The airline has been steadily rebuilding its international presence, including the introduction of new long-haul aircraft and refreshed cabins. 

“Air India remains committed to expanding its global footprint, both by adding new aircraft to our own fleet and by forging stronger commercial partnerships,” Wilson said in a statement. He described the framework agreement as a structured platform for defining future areas of closer collaboration and creating long-term value for customers. 

Goh said the agreement represents a natural evolution of the airlines’ existing relationship. He added that the partnership would strengthen connectivity between Singapore and India while supporting air travel, tourism, and economic ties between the two countries.The post Air India, Singapore Airlines sign agreement to deepen commercial cooperation appeared first on AeroTime.

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