Air India, Drukair sign interline deal to boost India-Bhutan connectivity
Synopsis
Air India and Drukair have signed an interline deal that lets passengers book a single ticket combining both carriers’ networks — connecting Bhutan’s domestic destinations like Bumthang and Yonphula all the way to London, New York, and Sydney via Delhi. For Bhutan’s sole national carrier, it is the most significant international connectivity upgrade in years.
Key Takeaways
Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines signed an interline partnership on 26 August .
Passengers can now book single-ticket itineraries combining both carriers, with coordinated baggage transfers at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport .
Air India passengers gain access to Bhutan via Drukair’s Paro route, with onward connections to Bumthang , Gelephu , and Yonphula .
Drukair passengers can connect to Air India’s domestic network via Delhi , Guwahati , and Kolkata , and to international destinations including London , New York , and Sydney .
The deal expands Air India’s SAARC footprint as part of its broader regional network strategy under Tata Group ownership.
Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines on Wednesday, 26 August announced an interline partnership that allows passengers to book single-ticket itineraries combining flights on both carriers, deepening air connectivity between India and Bhutan. The agreement, anchored at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, also includes coordinated baggage transfers, eliminating the need for passengers to recheck luggage during transit.
What the Partnership Covers
Under the arrangement, travellers can combine Air India and Drukair flights on a single ticket, accessing competitive interline fares and improved routing options. Baggage will be transferred through Air India's Delhi hub, streamlining the transit experience for passengers moving between the two networks.
For Air India passengers, the deal opens up direct access to Bhutan via Drukair's services to Paro through Delhi, with onward connections available to domestic Bhutanese destinations including Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula.
Access to India and Global Routes
Drukair passengers, in turn, gain access to Air India's domestic network via Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata, with onward connections to cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi. The partnership also unlocks Air India's international network, covering destinations including London, New York, Newark, Paris, Frankfurt, Toronto, Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney, San Francisco, and Colombo.
What the Airlines Said
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India, said the deal reinforces the Tata Group-owned carrier's commitment to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. “Bhutan is a valued part of this region, and we are happy to enable easy access to Bhutan for our guests and look forward to welcoming Drukair’s passengers onto Air India’s extensive domestic and global network,” he said.
Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair, described the agreement as “a significant milestone” for the Bhutanese carrier. He said it would provide Drukair customers with “seamless travel options, broader access to international markets and stronger connectivity across India and beyond.”
Broader Significance
The partnership is part of Air India’s wider strategy to expand its footprint across the SAARC region through a combination of its own services and partner networks. Bhutan, which relies heavily on Drukair as its sole national carrier, stands to benefit significantly from improved international connectivity. This comes amid a broader push by Indian carriers to deepen regional aviation ties, with interline and codeshare agreements increasingly seen as a cost-effective route to network expansion without new aircraft commitments.
Point of View
But the real prize for Air India is feed traffic from high-spending Bhutan-bound international travellers who would otherwise route through third-country hubs. The question is whether this is a stepping stone to a deeper codeshare or full frequent-flyer integration, which would be a far more meaningful competitive move.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Air India and Drukair interline partnership?
It is an agreement signed on 26 August that allows passengers to book a single ticket combining flights on both Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines. The deal also includes coordinated baggage transfers through Air India’s hub at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Which destinations can travellers access under this deal?
Air India passengers can reach Bhutan via Drukair’s Paro service, with onward connections to Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula. Drukair passengers can connect to Air India’s domestic network and international destinations including London, New York, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Newark, and Colombo.
How does the baggage arrangement work under this interline deal?
Baggage is coordinated through Air India’s Delhi hub, meaning passengers do not need to recheck their luggage during transit between the two carriers’ flights.
Why does this partnership matter for Bhutan?
Drukair is Bhutan’s sole national carrier, so the partnership significantly expands international connectivity for Bhutanese travellers. It gives them access to Air India’s global network spanning multiple continents, which was not previously available through a single-ticket booking.
How does this fit into Air India’s broader strategy?
Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has been expanding its presence across the SAARC region through a mix of its own services and partner networks. This interline agreement is part of that push, treating South Asia as what the airline calls its ‘extended home market.’
