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Qantas has expanded its codeshare agreement with Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo to include flights to Australia connecting through Singapore.
Passengers on IndiGo’s Singapore flights will now be able to connect seamlessly on Qantas flights to Melbourne, with Sydney, Perth and Brisbane connections to also come online in the next few weeks.
“The two airlines are the market leaders in their respective countries and this agreement will strengthen the bond between the two countries. For IndiGo, placing its code on another airline and connecting over a mid-point (Singapore) is only the second one of its kind,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo.
“With this we are now enabling the vast IndiGo network to connect with Qantas’ unmatched reach, we create more opportunities for trade and tourism between both nations.
“With the thriving growth of the Indian aviation industry, this agreement will also enhance our international connectivity and remain committed to our promise of providing on-time, affordable, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences to our customers across our wide network.”
Qantas’ codeshare agreement with IndiGo, signed in 2022, currently extends to 21 destinations in India after the two airlines expanded their existing deal in January.
Codeshares are a more formal tie-up than interline service agreements and allow customers to book with one airline but fly with another.
It means those connecting across two different carriers can use a single bag drop as well as share loyalty perks, effectively expanding an airline’s international and local network.
Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn and redeem points on connecting IndiGo flights (with the QF code), and IndiGo recognises loyalty benefits for tiered members, including priority check-in and priority baggage.
Qantas customers travelling on IndiGo can also carry the same baggage allowance as their flight from Australia as well as receiving complimentary food and drinks.
The tie-up with IndiGo comes in addition to the Flying Kangaroo being a member of the OneWorld codeshare alliance, which travels to more than 900 destinations.
Qantas currently operates four return flights from Melbourne to Delhi per week and four return flights from Sydney to Bengaluru per week.
