Air India and Drukair, Royal Bhutan Airlines, have signed a new interline partnership aimed at improving travel convenience and strengthening network connectivity between India, Bhutan, and beyond, the carriers announced Wednesday.

Under the agreement, passengers will be able to book a single-ticket itinerary combining flights of both airlines, with coordinated baggage handling and passenger transfers via Air India's hub at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airlines said the partnership would also offer competitive interline fares, giving travellers greater flexibility and value.

The deal allows Air India passengers from across its international network to connect to Paro via Delhi, with onward links within Bhutan to Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula. Air India said the partnership extends its reach to nearly all countries in the SAARC region through its own or partner network.

In return, Drukair passengers will gain access via Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata to Air India's domestic network—including Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi—as well as international destinations such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Colombo, Newark, Frankfurt, New York (JFK), London Heathrow, Melbourne, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto Pearson, and Vancouver.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India, said the partnership with Drukair reinforced the airline's commitment to strengthening connectivity across the SAARC region, which he described as its extended home market. He added that Bhutan was a valued part of that region and that Air India looked forward to welcoming Drukair passengers onto its domestic and global network.

Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair, said the agreement marked an important turning point for the Bhutanese carrier as it works to strengthen its global connectivity. He said the partnership would give Drukair customers seamless journeys, expanded access to key international markets, and improved connectivity across India and beyond.

Both airlines said the partnership would support tourism and business travel by providing passengers with greater accessibility, convenience, and value.

Source: PR