New Delhi (Agency): In a significant move to boost travel connectivity, Air India has entered into an intermodal interline agreement with AccessRail, aiming to provide its passengers with seamless travel options to over 100 cities and towns across Europe. The partnership encompasses several European countries including Austria, Belgium, Germany, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and will even cover destinations that lack dedicated airports.
The new agreement offers Air India guests the convenience of booking a single intermodal ticket, granting them access to both on-ground train and bus connections via the European gateways of Amsterdam, Birmingham, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Milan, and Vienna. Remarkably, passengers will enjoy the same generous baggage allowance on rail and bus services as they do on Air India’s flights, ensuring a unified travel experience.
AccessRail, an IATA travel partner with its designator code (9B), plays a crucial role in facilitating these seamless journeys on a single ticket. Its extensive network of rail and bus operators partnering with Air India includes prominent names such as Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railways, Trenitalia, and ÖBB Austrian Railways, among others.
Nipun Aggarwal, the chief commercial & transformation officer at Air India, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “The expansion of our global network is one of our key priorities in the ongoing, comprehensive transformation of Air India.” He also emphasized the environmental benefits, adding that the intermodal approach aligns with Air India’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Andrew Popescu, vice president of Business Development at AccessRail, shared his excitement about the collaboration, underscoring the partnership’s potential to offer Air India’s customers “more destinations and more possibilities in a more seamless fashion.”
Currently, intermodal tickets with Air India and AccessRail can be booked through travel agents around the world. Air India also plans to progressively extend this facility to its sales channels, making the booking process even more convenient for travelers seeking to explore Europe’s diverse cities and towns seamlessly.
In conclusion, this partnership represents an innovative effort by Air India to enhance travel options for its passengers across Europe. By integrating train and bus connections with flight bookings, the airline is not only extending its reach to new destinations but also simplifying the travel experience for its customers. The initiative reflects a growing trend in the travel industry to create interconnected, efficient, and environmentally conscious travel networks.