Air India and Virgin Australia have launched a new codeshare partnership that significantly enhances travel options between India and Australia.

This arrangement allows Air India to apply its ‘AI’ code on flights operated by Virgin Australia, improving connectivity for passengers traveling from Delhi to Melbourne and Sydney, with seamless onward connections to 16 destinations across Australia and New Zealand.

The destinations include:

• Adelaide
• Ballina/Byron Bay
• Brisbane
• Cairns
• Canberra
• Darwin
• Gold Coast
• Hamilton Island
• Hobart
• Launceston
• Melbourne
• Newcastle
• Perth
• Queenstown (NZ)
• Sunshine Coast
• Sydney

“We are pleased to partner with Air India to make it easier for their customers to explore everything Australia has to offer. India is a growing tourism market for Australia and this partnership will encourage travelers arriving on one of Air India’s 14 weekly flights to explore more of our wonderful country thanks to seamless onward connections on the Virgin Australia network,” said Alistair Hartley, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Virgin Australia.

“Australia is one of Air India’s most important international markets, so it is incredibly exciting for us to partner with Virgin Australia to expand our presence in the region. While the partnership provides greater ease and access for the large Indian diaspora across the continent, it also opens up a wide range of destinations for holidaymakers looking to explore Australia,” commented Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India.

Air India operates 14 flights weekly from India to Australia, including daily non-stop services from Delhi to Melbourne and Sydney, utilizing its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The new codeshare bookings will commence on February 11, 2025, with the first flights scheduled for February 18, 2025.