Airlines are seeking tie-ups with Air India: CMD Wilson

The way India’s 37 million strong diaspora is served is going to change, says Wilson

- Anu Sharma

Air India, owned by Talace Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Sons, has garnered global attention with foreign airlines expressing rising interest in partnering with the full-service carrier, as they expect it to establish an extensive network of non-stop long-haul flights from India, said a senior company executive.

“Many airlines are seeking partnerships because they see the benefit in connecting with the carrier from which most of the source traffic is coming. At present, 37 million people are there in the diaspora, but we don’t serve them particularly well. That is going to change," Air India’s chairman and managing director Campbell Wilson said at the 67th Association of Asia-Pacific airlines.

Air India operates direct international flights to 38 destinations including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, South-east Asia, Far East Asia, Africa, Gulf, the Middle East and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc). International departures for the airline have increased by 21% this year following its expansion to destinations like Copenhagen, Milan, Vienna, and London’s Gatwick Airport.