Etihad Airways’ award-winning loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, is accelerating its expansion in India with the addition of five prominent partners — BOBCARD, The Postcard Hotel, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Shoppers Stop India. The partnerships were officially revealed at a star-studded event in Mumbai, attended by business leaders, media representatives, and Bollywood celebrities.

India has emerged as Etihad Guest’s fastest-growing market, contributing significantly to the programme’s global membership of more than 13 million. With over 250,000 new sign-ups each month — roughly six every minute — Etihad aims to give Indian members greater lifestyle and travel value through everyday earning opportunities across dining, shopping, and digital platforms.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said the new collaborations highlight the airline’s continued investment in one of its key international markets.

“India plays a pivotal role in our global network, with 185 flights each week connecting to 11 cities. These new ties enhance the Etihad Guest experience for our Indian members and international travellers visiting this dynamic country,” he noted.

De added that working with trusted local brands strengthens the airline’s relationship with Indian consumers and makes the programme more relevant to their daily routines.

Etihad Guest and BOBCARD Limited, a subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, have partnered to launch a co-branded credit card giving members exclusive travel and lifestyle perks. Travellers who sign up before 28 February will enjoy double welcome miles. The card is designed to seamlessly connect everyday purchases with international travel rewards, offering Indian consumers a smarter, more rewarding payment option.

Boutique luxury brand The Postcard Hotel has become the first hospitality partner from India to join a Middle Eastern airline loyalty programme. Etihad Guest members can now earn miles on stays at its distinctive properties across India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Members staying two or three nights will earn 2,000 miles, while those staying four nights or longer will receive 4,000 miles plus an additional complimentary night. Guests booking a stay before 28 February will receive double miles as part of the launch offer.

In a major move bridging e-commerce and travel, Etihad Guest has teamed up with Flipkart, one of India’s leading online marketplaces. The alliance will allow over 500 million Flipkart users to convert their Supercoins into Etihad Guest Miles for flight redemptions — while Etihad Guest members can convert their miles into Supercoins for online shopping. The scheme will officially launch in the coming weeks.

Etihad Guest has also partnered with Swiggy, one of India’s leading on-demand platforms spanning food delivery, quick commerce, and dining out. Members will receive six months of complimentary Swiggy One membership, unlocking discounts and exclusive benefits. Soon, members will also be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on every Swiggy purchase, turning routine food orders into potential flight rewards.

Etihad has become the first airline to collaborate with Shoppers Stop India, the country’s leading department store brand. As part of the launch campaign, Etihad Guest members can opt in to receive a one-year complimentary Platinum membership in the Shoppers Stop First Citizen programme until 15 February.

The next phase of the partnership will allow customers to earn Etihad Guest Miles on spending both in-store and online, converting shopping experiences into travel rewards.

The addition of these five high-profile partners signals Etihad Airways’ ongoing commitment to the Indian market — one of its most strategically significant regions. Beyond loyalty tie-ups, the airline continues to engage Indian travellers through sponsorships with Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai City FC, locally inspired cuisine on board, and digital experiences in Hindi.

Through these initiatives, Etihad is positioning Etihad Guest as a deeply integrated lifestyle programme for Indian consumers — one that connects daily moments with global travel rewards.

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA