IndiGo expands codeshare routes with Qantas, unveils 11 new Australian connections, ET TravelWorld

IndiGo, India’s leading airline, has unveiled 11 new codeshare routes in collaboration with Australia‘s national carrier, Qantas Airways, effective March 31, 2024. Ticket sales for these routes commenced on March 12, 2024, offering IndiGo passengers enhanced connectivity across prominent tourist and economic hubs in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, and Perth.

This extended partnership allows travellers to seamlessly continue their journey within Australia on Qantas-operated domestic flights, facilitating access to three additional cities—Adelaide, Canberra, and Gold Coast. The introduction of these codeshare connections enhances travel options for Indian tourists, as well as business and leisure travellers, especially during the upcoming summer season. IndiGo already provides travel options to Singapore, further complemented by seamless connectivity to Qantas’ flights between Singapore and Australia.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to introduce these new connections within Australia in partnership with Qantas. Through this codeshare, our passengers can now travel not only to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane via Singapore but also continue their journey to Adelaide, Canberra, and the Gold Coast. This partnership aligns with the remarkable growth trajectory of the Indian aviation industry, and as India’s premier carrier, it further amplifies our international footprint through Qantas’ extensive network. IndiGo remains steadfast in delivering affordable, punctual, and seamless travel experiences across an unparalleled network.”The partnership between IndiGo and Qantas underscores the deepening economic ties between India and Australia, reflecting the spirit of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

Emirates expands global collaborations to enhance travel experiences

Emirates has inked MoUs with the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) to bolster inbound tourism and collaboration. The airline has pledged to support Greece’s travel industry by enhancing traffic from top inbound markets, including the US, UAE, Australia, India, and China. Similarly, the partnership with ANTO aims to drive inbound visitors to Austria, leveraging Emirates’ extensive global network.

In 2022, both airlines finalised a codeshare agreement, enabling Qantas customers flying between Australia and India to access 21 destinations in India through IndiGo. In November 2023, IndiGo had expanded its codeshare network to include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane in Australia, further solidifying its collaboration with Qantas Airways.

Mumbai – Colombo flights
In a separate development, IndiGo had announced new direct flights between Mumbai and Colombo starting April 12, 2024. These flights will operate three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and play a key role in enhancing connectivity between the financial capital of India – Mumbai, and the capital of Sri Lanka.

With this new connection, Mumbai has become the fourth destination in India with direct connectivity to Colombo, after Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. IndiGo will operate 37 weekly flights to Colombo from 4 cities in India.