aaipl: Tatas’ AI, Air Asia ink passenger sharing deal

NEW DELHI: In the first step towards cooperation between Tata Group airlines, Air India (AI) and AirAsia India (AAIPL) will accept each other’s domestic passengers in case one carrier’s flights are disrupted for some reason. The two have signed an “interline considerations on irregular operations” (IROPs) agreement for two years that is valid up to February 9, 2024, to offer “first available alternate flights to minimise inconvenience to passengers”. The over 7-year-old AAIPL so far does not have any international passenger flights.
After taking control of AI and AI Express late last month, the Tata Group now has four airlines in its fold. Given the new owner’s resolve to improve AI’s on time performance, or punctuality, the February 10, 2022, agreement specifically says departure of Air lndia “should not be affected on account of acceptance of stranded passengers” of AAIPL.
“The carriage of passengers shall be on ‘as available’ basis as determined by the airport manager of accepting airline. Decision of accepting airline would be final as regards availability of seats… The transferring airline’s baggage allowance as shown on the original ticket of the transferring airline will apply for passengers accepted by the accepting airline. Any excess baggage not purchased will be chargeable,” the agreement says.