DUBAI- Japan Airlines (JL) will start codeshare flights with India’s leading airline, IndiGo (6E), in October, enhancing travel options for passengers flying from Tokyo to India, which is the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
This agreement, allowing both airlines to sell tickets on each other’s flights, was finalized on Sunday during the 80th International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting and represents Japan Airlines or JAL’s first new international partnership since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Airlines and IndiGo Codeshare
The codeshare will initially cover two international routes: Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to Delhi (DEL) and Narita Airport (NRT) to Bengaluru (BLR). The specific domestic routes within IndiGo’s network in India are yet to be determined, reported Nikkei Asia.
JAL had been seeking a new partner in India after Vistara (UK), with which it began codesharing in 2019, announced its merger with Air India (AI).
IndiGo, which will complete 18 years in August, now operates over 2,000 daily flights to more than 80 domestic and over 30 international destinations.
Last year, IndiGo held a dominant 60.5% share of the domestic passenger market, according to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This far surpassed second-place Air India, which had a 9.7% share and recently entered a codeshare agreement with JAL’s competitor, All Nippon Airways (ANA). Vistara followed with a 9.1% share.
To fuel its growth, IndiGo placed an order for 500 new Airbus A320 aircraft last year and plans to introduce business class service in 2024.
Strong Growth
The International Monetary Fund projects India’s economy will grow by 6.8% in 2024, outpacing China’s 4.6% and the U.S.’s 2.7%, making it the fastest-growing major economy.
India, the world’s most populous country, is predicted to surpass Japan as the fourth-largest economy by 2025, according to the IMF.
Air travel in India saw a 20% increase last year, reaching around 150 million passengers, making it the third-largest air travel market globally, following China and the U.S., as per the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
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