Air India, Air Mauritius expand codeshare to boost connectivity across India, Africa from July 1

PUNE: Air India and Air Mauritius have expanded their existing codeshare partnership to provide travellers with better connectivity across the Indian subcontinent and the African region. The two airlines signed the extended codeshare agreement on the sidelines of the 81st IATA AGM in New Delhi, in the presence of Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, and Kishore Beegoo, Chairman of Air Mauritius.As part of the strengthened bilateral arrangement, Air India and Air Mauritius will place their designator codes on a total of 17 routes covering India, Mauritius, Réunion, South Africa, and Madagascar.With this enhanced partnership, Air India will place its ‘AI’ code on Air Mauritius flights to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, as well as Antananarivo in Madagascar. This will allow Air India passengers to travel seamlessly to these cities via Mauritius on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to the final destination. Air India already codeshares on Air Mauritius flights between Mauritius and Mumbai, Delhi, and Réunion.Air Mauritius currently places its ‘MK’ designator code on Air India flights between Mumbai and Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Goa, and from Delhi to Bengaluru and Chennai. Under the expanded agreement, Air Mauritius will also place its ‘MK’ code on Air India’s Mauritius–Mumbai route. As a result, all flights operated by both airlines between the two countries will carry each other’s codes, offering more options to customers of both carriers.Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, said: “India is one of the largest tourism source markets for destinations in Southern Africa, including Mauritius and South Africa, as well as a strong trade partner to the region. This expanded codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius is another step toward widening our extended global network, which enables our customers to easily access these destinations.”“Air Mauritius is pleased to expand its collaboration with Air India, offering our passengers connections to numerous destinations across India via Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. Travellers from India to Mauritius will not only experience the warmth of our multicultural society and the richness of our diverse local cuisine, but also enjoy the convenience of connecting to Réunion, South Africa, and Madagascar beyond with Air Mauritius,” said Kishore Beegoo, Chairman of Air Mauritius.The additional codeshare flights will be available for booking from 1 July through the official booking channels of Air India and Air Mauritius, as well as through travel agents.