Indian airlines look at global connectivity with code sharing

Mumbai: India’s domestic airlines, eyeing busy and lucrative international routes as the number of international air passengers flying into and out of India grows at around 20% a year, are busy sewing up what are commonly called code-sharing agreements with global carriers to help expand their reach.
Jet Airways (India) Ltd has recently signed such an agreement with Air Canada and American Airlines, while Kingfisher Airlines Ltd has tied up with Air France, Emirates, Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
The state-run National Aviation Co. of India Ltd, or Nacil, which runs Air India, is in talks with member airlines of Star Alliance, the largest operating grouping of global carriers, for a similar arrangement. The firm joined Star Alliance, which counts Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, United, US Airways, Air Canada and Air China among its members, last year. Some 30 million passengers flew to and from India in 2007, growing 20% over the previous year.
An analyst with a domestic brokerage, who did not wish to be identified, said code-sharing with an international airline would improve the brand visibility of domestic airlines, apart from improving connectivity.
05/03/08 P.R. Sanjai/Livemint

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Categories: Foreign Mar 2008, Indian Aviation- In General Mar 2008, New Mar 2008