Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Latvia’s national airline airBaltic and India’s flagship carrier Air India have joined forces in a dynamic partnership designed to unlock seamless travel between the Baltic states and India. Through a newly signed prorate agreement, both airlines will offer combined tickets that simplify connections and expand route options, significantly enhancing passenger convenience. This collaboration not only broadens travel choices but also strengthens economic ties and cultural exchange between the regions, marking a major step forward in boosting international connectivity and supporting sustained growth in the aviation sector.

In a significant move poised to strengthen international air travel between Europe and South Asia, Latvia’s national airline airBaltic and India’s flagship carrier Air India have announced a new collaborative partnership. The two airlines have formalized their cooperation through the signing of a Special Prorate Agreement, which allows passengers to book connecting flights seamlessly across both carriers’ networks. This innovative partnership aims to improve travel ease, expand route choices, and strengthen both economic and cultural connections between the Baltic countries and India.

Both airBaltic and Air India can now offer combined tickets that include flights from either carrier under this agreement. As a result, passengers traveling between Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and India can now benefit from smoother connections and more flexible itineraries. This partnership not only expands the destination choices available to travelers but also simplifies the booking process, improving overall passenger experience on these routes.

The announcement was made at the prestigious 81st Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), hosted in New Delhi, India. The event gathered global aviation leaders to discuss key industry developments and foster partnerships that drive sustainable growth. Representing airBaltic at the AGM were Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer Pauls Cālītis, alongside Chief Commercial Officer Thomas Ramdahl, who highlighted the strategic importance of this cooperation for both airlines and their customers.

, Interim CEO and COO of airBaltic: “Announced during this year’s IATA Annual General Meeting, this new agreement with Air India marks the first step toward our air ties with India. The cooperation will bring mutual benefits to both airlines and our passengers. We are excited about this development and look forward to our partnership, especially as we observe a steady increase in passenger traffic between the Baltics and India.”

Chief Commercial Officer of Air India: “Our new partnership with airBaltic strengthens our extended worldwide network and provides easy access to our guests to and from the Baltics, an emerging tourism region for Indians, consisting of nations with which India’s trade ties continue to grow.”

airBaltic, renowned for its modern fleet and efficient service, operates nearly 130 routes across a wide geographic footprint. Headquartered in Riga, Latvia, the airline serves not only the Baltic capitals of Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius but also extends its operations to Tampere, Finland, and seasonally to Gran Canaria in Spain. This wide-reaching network links passengers to major destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region.

By partnering with Air India, airBaltic taps into India’s expansive domestic and international aviation market, opening new gateways for Baltic travelers to explore the rich cultural and economic landscape of India. Conversely, Indian passengers can now effortlessly reach the scenic and historically vibrant Baltic capitals as well as other European destinations connected via airBaltic’s network.

The new prorate agreement offers multiple benefits to both airlines and their passengers. For travelers, the ability to book connecting flights on a single ticket reduces the complexity and risk often associated with multi-carrier itineraries. This integration includes baggage handling through to the final destination, eliminating the need to re-check luggage during layovers. Passengers also benefit from coordinated schedules and increased flight options, allowing for shorter total travel times and enhanced flexibility.

For the airlines, the partnership strengthens their competitive positioning in their respective markets. By collaborating, airBaltic and Air India can optimize load factors, improve route profitability, and attract new customer segments seeking convenient travel options between Europe and India. The agreement also lays the groundwork for deeper cooperation in the future, potentially including joint marketing efforts, frequent flyer program integrations, and expanded codeshare services.

This partnership arrives at a pivotal moment as the aviation industry continues its recovery from the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With demand for international travel rebounding, airlines are increasingly seeking innovative alliances to enhance connectivity and capture emerging travel trends. The cooperation between airBaltic and Air India signals both carriers’ commitment to leveraging strategic partnerships to deliver value to passengers while supporting regional economic growth.

India’s aviation sector, rapidly expanding at a global scale, offers significant growth potential for airlines from Europe. Similarly, the Baltic region, with its strategic location bridging Northern and Eastern Europe, acts as a vital hub for travelers heading further into the continent. Together, airBaltic and Air India stand to benefit from this geographic synergy, fostering greater people-to-people exchange and business travel between the two regions.

airBaltic and Air India have partnered to offer seamless travel and expanded route options between the Baltic states and India, boosting passenger convenience and driving economic growth. This agreement strengthens connectivity and fosters closer ties between the regions.

Both airlines have expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to deepen over time. The current prorate agreement sets a strong foundation, with possibilities for future enhancements such as expanded route cooperation, reciprocal lounge access, and coordinated scheduling to maximize passenger convenience.

Moreover, this collaboration aligns with airBaltic’s broader vision of connecting the Baltics with key global markets through efficient and sustainable air travel. For Air India, it complements ongoing efforts to strengthen international presence and improve service quality following its recent restructuring and modernization initiatives.

In summary, the collaboration between airBaltic and Air India marks a significant step forward in enhancing intercontinental travel links. By enabling seamless travel between the Baltic states and India, the two carriers are not only enhancing their route networks but also contributing to stronger cultural, economic, and tourism ties. Passengers can look forward to a smoother, more convenient travel experience as this exciting collaboration takes flight.