SIA and Vistara to expand codeshare agreement to international flights

Wednesday, 7 August 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Following the recent announcement of Vistara’s first international flights to Singapore from New Delhi and Mumbai, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and regional subsidiary SilkAir have signed an agreement with Vistara to expand codesharing to international routes.

Vistara commenced international operations from 6 August, with the launch of Delhi-Singapore operations.

Under the expansion of an existing codeshare agreement which covers Indian domestic flights, SIA will add its ‘SQ’ designator code to Vistara’s new international flights. In addition, SIA and SilkAir will add nine new codeshare destinations within India on Vistara-operated flights. With this expansion, SIA will codeshare on Vistara flights to more than 20 Indian destinations.

Similarly, Vistara will add its ‘UK’ designator code to SIA-and SilkAir-operated flights between Singapore and eight destinations in India. As part of the arrangement, Vistara will codeshare on services to more than 40 destinations in the SIA and SilkAir network. These codeshares will be implemented in phases and are subject to regulatory approvals. This is the first time Vistara will be codesharing with partner airlines on international flights.

“Vistara is an important partner for SIA and SilkAir. This expansion of our codeshare agreement provides our customers with more travel options to and from India. We congratulate Vistara on the launch of its international services, and are proud to be Vistara’s first codeshare partner for its international flights,” said SIA Senior Vice President Marketing Planning Tan Kai Ping.

“Vistara found its first codeshare partners in Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, and now we are further expanding the agreement to international flights with them. We’re happy to deepen this strategic partnership which means a more seamless flying experience for travellers from India to destinations across Asia, Oceania and the United States. Our customers will enjoy world-class products and services whether flying from India to points abroad beyond Singapore or into and within India from the rest of the world. It helps Vistara get closer to its vision of becoming a global brand and we’re certain that our customers will find the benefits of this partnership delightful,” said Vistara’s Chief Strategy Officer Vinod Kannan.

Vistara is a New Delhi-based joint venture between Tata Sons and SIA. It will commence its first international operations, to Singapore from Delhi and Mumbai, starting 6 and 7 August, respectively, using Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.

The codeshare flights will be progressively made available through SIA and Vistara booking channels once necessary regulatory approvals are obtained.