New Delhi: Japan’s private carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed what a press release said a new 'codeshare partnership' with Indigo airlines, aiming at strengthening ‘its connectivity into India initially’.
Codesharing will allow an airline to book its passengers on partner airlines and thus avail travel to places where it has no presence, The Indian Express reported.
Both airlines will start working on the pact on domestic routes in India that connect to JAL-operated flights to and from Delhi and Bengaluru.
“The cooperation will allow Japan Airlines to strengthen its connectivity into India initially, while enabling more travel options for IndiGo customers on JAL’s extensive domestic and international network in later phases,” a press release reportedly read.
JAL stated that the partnership will add 14 destinations to its existing portfolio, whereas it currently offers daily services between Tokyo Haneda – Delhi, and from Tokyo’s Narita to Bengaluru three times a week.
Abhijit DasGupta, Senior Vice President of Indigo’s Network Planning & Revenue Management, said that Japan has increased its popularity among Indian customers, given the fact ‘both countries are working to strengthen bilateral relationships and ease the visa norms.’
‘This phase of the partnership expands the choices available to Japan Airlines customers for journeys to/from Japan, using IndiGo’s extensive network in India. This step to provide seamless connectivity to support trade, commerce, and tourism between the two countries,’ Abhijit DasGupta added.
The planned codeshare routes are subject to government approval, according to the report.