Air India and Air India Express have announced a new partnership with dnata, a leading travel services company, to serve as their General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement was signed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai and aims to improve sales, marketing, and distribution support for both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India.
The partnership is strategic for Air India, as the UAE is a key market in its international network. The airline operates 82 weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities in the UAE with over 240 weekly flights. The UAE is the single-largest international market for Air India Express, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travelers.
The agreement with dnata is expected to enhance service delivery and drive demand for Air India and Air India Express in the region. dnata has a deep understanding of the region and a proven track record in travel services, having represented Air India in Dubai for passenger sales for almost 50 years. The company will provide localized support to both carriers, improving accessibility for travelers and trade partners.
The partnership is also part of the Air India group’s broader growth plans in the region. With a growing network of 45 domestic and 43 international destinations served by Air India, and 38 domestic and 17 international destinations by Air India Express, the airline is investing in partnerships and service enhancements to bring India closer to the world.
According to Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales at Air India, the partnership with dnata will help the airline better connect with customers and drive demand in the market. Dr. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India Express, added that the collaboration will help the airline expand its commercial presence in the region and offer customers more reliable and seamless travel options. Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, expressed his delight at being appointed by the Air India group, citing the airline’s growing operations and commitment to supporting millions of travelers. Overall, the partnership between Air India, Air India Express, and dnata is expected to strengthen the airline’s presence in the UAE market and enhance its services for customers.