Air India–Singapore Airlines Partnership Enters New Phase With Commercial Cooperation Framework

Only a day after Malaysia Airlines partnered with Mumbai Indians for the IPL, Air India (AI) and Singapore Airlines (SQ) have formally signed a commercial cooperation framework agreement that lays the groundwork for deepening their strategic alliance and progressing toward a definitive joint business agreement. The accord was executed on 16 January 2026 in Mumbai by Air India’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, who might exit Air India soon, and Singapore Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer, Goh Choon Phong.

The agreement intends to significantly broaden connectivity and customer benefits between India and Singapore while strengthening collaborative efforts in high‑yield market segments. This partnership is aimed at enhancing seamless travel opportunities, coordinated flight schedules, and expanded product and service offerings, subject to regulatory approvals and completion of definitive agreements.

Air India Express Flight IX1240 Tragedy: One-Year-Old Infant Dies on 737 MAX 8 During Jaipur–Bengaluru Flight

Airline Profile: Air India and Singapore Airlines

Details of the Commercial Cooperation Framework

The framework agreement between the two flag carriers of their respective nation intends to Establish a structured platform to negotiate definitive joint business agreements that will shape longer‑term cooperation. In addition, there will be coordinated airline schedules to improve connectivity across India and Singapore and potentially beyond, maximizing route synergies. 

In addition, the agreement will:

• Enable passengers to book a single unified itinerary encompassing flights operated by both carriers, simplifying travel planning.

• Explore enhanced corporate travel programme participation, creating value in the high‑yield segment.

• Assess loyalty‑programme enhancements beyond existing Star Alliance benefits for Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer members.

Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, commented on the signing:

“This agreement between Singapore Airlines and Air India is a natural evolution of our successful partnership, creating genuine value and delivering enhanced benefits to customers. It is a strategic, win-win collaboration that will strengthen connectivity between Singapore and India, support the growth of air travel and tourism in both countries, and deepen their long-standing business and people-to-people ties.”

Some Other Notes on Singapore and Air India’s Current Collaboration

Before this framework, Air India and Singapore Airlines already codeshare on 61 points in 20 countries and territories, following an extensive codeshare expansion in October 2024. This prior agreement added 51 international and domestic destinations, significantly increasing connectivity.

On the occasion the two carriers signed the cooperation framework, Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said that the Indian flag carrier was “committed to expanding its global footprint” by adding new aircraft to its fleet. Air India currently operates a fleet of 188 aircraft.

Aircraft Type	In Service	Parked	Current Total	Avg. Age	Total
Airbus A319	6	–	6	17.4 Years	24
Airbus A320	95	3	98	5.8 Years	148
Airbus A321	21	2	23	11.1 Years	34
Airbus A350 XWB	5	1	6	2.3 Years	7
Boeing 777	18	4	22	15.4 Years	38
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	30	3	33	10.0 Years	39
Total	175	13	188	8.6 Years	290

Data: planespotters.net

In 2023, the Air India signed firm agreements for 470 new aircraft with Airbus and Boeing, covering a mix of narrow-body and wide-body jets. Building on that, in December 2024 Air India confirmed an additional order for 100 Airbus aircraft, including 10 wide-body A350s and 90 Airbus A320 Family jets. The following table gives us the carrier’s aircraft order in full:

Manufacturer	Aircraft on Order	Aircraft Delivered	Aircraft Remaining	Notes
Airbus	344	6 (A350)	338	Includes 100 additional aircraft; mix of A350 and A320 family
Boeing	220	35	185	Widebody and narrowbody aircraft ordered in 2023

Campbell also noted that Air India wants to forge stronger commercial partnerships, particularly with its fellow Star Alliance member airlines:

“We are pleased to take our valued, long-term relationship with Singapore Airlines to the next level through this new commercial cooperation understanding, which establishes a clear and structured platform for both airlines to explore and define future areas of closer collaboration. With this measured approach, we aim to lay a strong foundation for sustainable, long-term value creation for our customers and other stakeholders.”

This Agreement is An Extension of the Partnership of Codeshare Agreements

In 2024, Air India and Singapore Airlines (SIA) reached an agreement to broaden their codeshare partnership, incorporating:

• 11 additional destinations within India
• A further 40 international points into their shared network

The move represents the most significant expansion of the airlines’ codeshare arrangements since 2010 and is intended to provide passengers with greater connectivity between India and Singapore, as well as onward international destinations.

The carriers began their codesharing on each other’s services from 27 October 2024 between Singapore and the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Chennai, lifting the total number of weekly scheduled codeshare flights between the two countries to 56, up from 14 previously.

Nyoma Airbase: How India Built one of the World’s Highest Operational Fighter Base at 13,700 Feet

Singapore Airlines Codeshare on Air India Domestic Routes

Destinations Accessible to Air India Customers via SIA Network

Destinations Accessible to SIA Customers via Air India International Services