RIO DE JANEIRO, 10 JUNE 2026: Air India, India’s leading global airline, and Thai Airways International (THAI), Thailand’s national carrier, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) building on their existing interline agreement, to explore a deeper partnership aimed at boosting connectivity between Thailand, India, and destinations beyond, leveraging each other’s global network strengths.
The MoU was signed on 07 June 2026 on the sidelines of the ongoing IATA AGM in Rio de Jeneiro, Brazil.
Air India and THAI intend to enter into a codeshare agreement in 2026, subject to the requisite regulatory approvals, designed to expand travel options for travellers between India and Thailand and deliver enhanced customer value across their respective networks.
The two Star Alliance member carriers intend to place their respective designator codes (‘AI’ for Air India and ‘TG’ for THAI) on each other’s flights between India and Thailand as well as on select international routes from the two countries, providing their customers with convenient access to several destinations across Asia, North America, and Europe. The specific terms governing the proposed codeshare agreement will be announced in due course.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “India and Thailand are connected by longstanding cultural ties, growing economic engagement, and strong flows of tourism and business travel. As Asia reinforces its position at the centre of global growth, deeper collaboration between leading airlines will be key to enabling that growth by making travel more seamless and accessible. This MoU with Thai Airways brings together two carriers with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to service excellence. It also supports Air India’s broader ambition to strengthen India’s connectivity with the world, offering our customers more choice and greater value.”
Chai Eamsiri, Chief Executive Officer, THAI, stated: “The MoU with Air India marks a meaningful milestone in our strategy to strengthen the regional connectivity and better serve to passengers traveling between Thailand, India and destination beyond. It also reflects the shared commitment of both airlines to supporting economic growth, promoting people-to-people exchanges, while contributing to broader cooperation between the two countries.”
About Air India Group
The Air India Group – comprising full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India Group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries travellers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.
Returning to Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India Group is in the midst of a five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed orders for 600 new aircraft. In addition to taking new aircraft deliveries, Air India is progressively retrofitting all its legacy aircraft.
The Air India Group operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India. The construction of a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base is in progress.
With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.
For more news on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom
About Thai Airways (THAI)
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) is Thailand’s national carrier, operating from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Established in 1960, THAI has built a strong heritage of Thai hospitality and service excellence under its “Smooth as Silk” brand promise. Today, THAI connects Thailand to 62 destinations in 29 countries worldwide. As a founding member of Star Alliance, Thai Airways offers passengers an extensive global network, seamless connectivity, and a premium travel experience across international routes.
For more information about Thai Airways, please visit https://www.thaiairways.com/
