SIA, SilkAir to codeshare with Vistara

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) and subsidiary SilkAir have signed an agreement to codeshare on Indian domestic flights operated by Vistara.

New Delhi-based Vistara is a joint venture between SIA and India's Tata.

Under the agreement, SIA will add its SQ designator code to Vistara-operated flights beyond Mumbai and New Delhi to 10 Indian cities. Meanwhile, SilkAir will add its designator code to Vistara-operated flights beyond Bengaluru and Kolkata to six Indian cities. This adds four new Indian destinations to the SIA group's network - Bhubaneswar, Goa, Guwahati and Port Blair.

Members of SIA and Vistara's frequent flyer programmes, KrisFlyer and Club Vistara, will enjoy additional tier benefits as a result of the tie-up.

PPS Club and KrisFlyer elite gold members will enjoy lounge access, increased baggage allowance and priority baggage handling, check-in and boarding when travelling on Vistara-operated flights. Similarly, Club Vistara platinum and gold members will enjoy the same benefits when travelling on SIA flights.

PPS Club and KrisFlyer members will also earn Elite miles when travelling on SIA codeshare flights operated by Vistara.

SIA's senior vice-president (marketing planning) Tan Kai Ping said: "Through the new codeshare agreement, both SIA and SilkAir are able to expand our network reach in the important India market, providing our customers even more travel options and enhanced KrisFlyer benefits."