Lufthansa Group expands its strategic partnership with Air India
Lufthansa and Air India have a long partnership going back to 2004, when both carriers signed a codeshare agreement. In 2014, Air India joined the Star Alliance co-founded by Lufthansa, strengthening their cooperation.
However, the signing of a new MoU between the Lufthansa Group and Air India opens a new chapter in the partnership.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will establish a future Joint Business Agreement between Lufthansa Group airlines, Air India, and Air India Express. It follows a recent free trade agreement concluded in January between the European Union and India. This trade agreement is expected to to unlock major growth opportunities and boost tourism and trade.
According to Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr and Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, the MoU will expand cooperation across routes, commercial activities, and customer experience.
Spohr noted that routes between Europe and India have already become the Lufthansa Group’s second-largest premium long-haul segment after the United States.
Currently, Lufthansa Group airlines and Air India operate codeshare flights on 146 routes across 22 countries, covering 15 Indian and 27 European destinations.
Lufthansa flies to 5 cities from Frankfurt and Munich, while Swiss and ITA Airways provide additional links from Zurich and Rome. Air India complements the network with long-haul services from Delhi and Mumbai to key European hubs including Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna, and Milan.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said closer collaboration will benefit both travelers and businesses, enabling improved connectivity, better alignment of products and services, and enhanced value for customers as Air India continues its fleet modernization and global expansion strategy.
The initial phase of cooperation will focus on jointly marketing flights and improving seamless connections between Lufthansa Group home markets (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Switzerland) and India.
Future plans envision incorporating the remaining EU countries and the Indian subcontinent by a closer coordination of flight schedules. It will also include enhanced frequent flyer integration, combined sales initiatives, and optimized airport processes aimed at improving the overall passenger experience such as simplifying and speeding air connections.
Related News Stories: Lufthansa Group expands global summer 2026 network - TravelMole News Archive - Page 337 of 9681 - TravelMole TAP Air Portugal new Europe–Brazil passenger traffic record TAP Air Portugal expands summer network across Europe and Brazil Italy's ITA Airways to focus on long-haul expansion until 2030 Brussels Airlines elevates Africa routes with authentic regional cuisine News Archive - Page 294 of 9683 - TravelMole TAP Air Portugal bracing for a new strike on December 11, 2025 Berlin's hotel boom accelerates with 11 new openings in 2026 Austria Tourism strong growth as US and CEE markets drive demand
newadmin
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025