Air India and Kazakhstan's Air Astana have announced a strategic codeshare agreement, marking a significant step in enhancing air connectivity between India and Kazakhstan. This partnership is set to expand travel options for passengers and strengthen the ties between the two countries.

Key Features of the Codeshare Agreement

• Air India will place its 'AI' designator code on Air Astana flights operating between Almaty-Delhi and Almaty-Mumbai routes.
• The arrangement allows Air India to sell seats on these routes while passengers travel on Air Astana-operated flights.
• Bookings will be available through Air India's website, mobile app, and travel agents, pending regulatory approvals.
• Air India customers can travel on single tickets with baggage check-through to Almaty from points beyond Delhi and Mumbai.

Expanded Network Access

This codeshare agreement builds upon a previously signed interline partnership between the two airlines, offering:

• Air Astana access to 18 domestic and 9 international destinations via Air India's network.
• Air India passengers connections to Central Asia and China destinations including Astana, Bishkek, Tashkent, Dushanbe, and Urumqi via Almaty.

Benefits and Expectations

Peter Foster, Air Astana Group CEO, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that the codeshare will accelerate business, tourist, and student traffic flows between the countries.

Campbell Wilson, Air India CEO, highlighted that the collaboration will enhance trade and cultural ties, bringing Central Asia closer to their customers.

Implications for Travelers

This codeshare agreement offers several advantages for passengers:

1. Increased connectivity between India and Kazakhstan
2. Seamless travel experience with single tickets and baggage check-through
3. Access to a wider range of destinations in both countries and beyond
4. Potential for increased cultural and business exchanges

As both airlines await regulatory approvals, this partnership stands to significantly improve air travel options between India and Kazakhstan, potentially fostering stronger economic and cultural bonds between the two nations.

Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson has addressed recent concerns about the airline's safety record, stating that the rate of in-flight incidents is "entirely normal" despite media reports of technical snags and flight diversions. Wilson attributed the increased attention to the airline's commitment to transparency in reporting incidents.

Operational Performance Improvements

The Air India Group, which operates over 1,200 daily departures, has reported significant improvements in key performance metrics:

• On-time Performance: August saw on-time performance exceed 80%, nearly 10 percentage points above the average for Air India and Vistara.
• Customer Satisfaction: The airline achieved a record Net Promoter Score of 36.
• Baggage Handling: Improvements were noted in mishandled baggage rates and reunion times.

Addressing Service Issues

To enhance customer service, Air India has implemented several initiatives:

• Empowered frontline teams to issue e-vouchers for service lapses.
• Plans to extend e-voucher capability to cabin crew.

Expansion of Operations

Air India is actively expanding its route network:

• Delhi-Jaisalmer Route: Twice-daily flights will operate from October to March.
• AIX (Low-cost unit) Expansion:
  • New operations in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad.
  • Dehradun operations set to begin on September 15.

Wilson's statements and the reported improvements come at a time when the airline is under increased scrutiny. By highlighting these positive developments, Air India appears to be working towards rebuilding public confidence and enhancing its service offerings in the competitive Indian aviation market.