Air India & Air Astana Codeshare: What It Means for India-Kazakhstan Connectivity

LorIn a strategic move to deepen air travel ties between India and Kazakhstan

, Air India and Air Astana have formalized a codeshare partnership. Under this agreement, Air India will place its “AI” designator code on selected Air Astana flights operating between Almaty–Delhi and Almaty–Mumbai.

This new codeshare builds on an earlier interline arrangement established in early 2025, which allowed for connecting itineraries between the two airlines across India, Central Asia, and beyond (with single-ticket issues, baggage check-through, etc.).

Routes, Frequency & Schedule Enhancements

• Air Astana launched a new Almaty–Mumbai route starting 20 April 2025.

• The Mumbai service is operated three times weekly: Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

• Outbound flights from Almaty depart at 04:30, arriving in Mumbai at 09:55. Return legs leave Mumbai at 11:00, arriving at Almaty by 14:45. Flight times are approximately 4h 50m outbound, 4h 20m inbound.

• Meanwhile, Air Astana already operates nine weekly flights on the Almaty-Delhi route, with increased frequency during peak periods.
  
  

What this Brings to Travel Agents, Corporate Planners & Airlines

For Travel Agents & Corporate Buyers

• Simplified Booking & Baggage Handling: Thanks to the codeshare, bookings combining Air India and Air Astana are more seamless; clients can check baggage through, operate under single ticketing.

• More Options for Connections: Agents can now propose itineraries via Almaty not only for direct India-Kazakhstan traffic but also for onward travel into Central Asia and China (e.g., Astana, Bishkek, Tashkent, Dushanbe, Urumqi) using Air Astana’s network.

• Stronger Corporate & Educational Travel Pathways: Given rising trade, student exchanges, and cultural travel between India and Kazakhstan, smoother travel logistics via Delhi & Mumbai will enhance travel policy compliance and client satisfaction.
  
  

For Airlines & Route Strategy

• For Air Astana, this enhances market penetration into India using a partner carrier’s reach, elevating load factors on Almaty–Delhi/Mumbai routes.

• For Air India, it provides access to Central Asia via Almaty with minimal incremental operating costs.

• The arrangement can help both airlines improve yield and optimize route networks, especially during off-peak demand, by offering more choices to customers without necessarily adding capacity.
  
  

Related Trends & Context

• The Almaty-Mumbai route reflects Air Astana’s expansion efforts. In H1 2025, the airline reported launching 20 new international routes, including increased services to Mumbai.

• There is growing demand in India for connectivity with Central Asia, both for trade & tourism, which is being met by new route launches (IndiGo planning new Astana-Delhi service, for example) and frequency increases.

SEO Keywords & Phrases (naturally integrated)

• India-Kazakhstan air connectivity

• Air India Air Astana codeshare

• Almaty-Delhi flights

• Almaty-Mumbai route

• Travel agents India Central Asia routes

• Corporate travel India Kazakhstan
  
  

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

The new codeshare partnership between Air India and Air Astana marks a significant milestone in enhancing India–Kazakhstan air connectivity. For B2B travel professionals, the deal brings practical advantages: streamlined booking, wider route options, and better service for clients travelling between India, Central Asia, and China. Between expanded route footprints and increasing demand, now is the time for agents and corporate travel planners to leverage this opportunity in package structuring, tariff design, and destination marketing.

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