Air India, Lufthansa Group Sign Strategic Aviation MoU

Air India and the Lufthansa Group have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for a future joint business agreement that could deepen cooperation between the two airline groups and expand travel options between India and Europe.

The agreement, signed on February 17, 2026, by Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson and Lufthansa Group Chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr, builds on the carriers’ longstanding relationship within the Star Alliance and their existing codeshare network connecting 15 Indian cities with 29 European cities across 20 countries.

Under the MoU, the airlines plan to explore closer collaboration in key strategic areas, including coordinated route planning, flight schedules, joint sales and marketing, distribution initiatives, and customer experience enhancements such as frequent flyer and IT systems integration. These efforts aim to offer travellers more seamless connections and consistent service across major markets.

Initially, the partnership will focus on boosting passenger traffic flows between India and the Lufthansa Group’s core markets in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland, with potential expansion to the rest of Europe and the Indian subcontinent once a comprehensive joint business agreement is finalized and receives regulatory approval.

Both airlines highlighted that the timing of the agreement aligns with the recently concluded India–European Union Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to stimulate demand for increased travel and commerce between the two regions.

The memorandum marks a significant step toward closer integration of Air India’s rapidly modernising global network and the Lufthansa Group’s extensive European operations, reflecting growing commercial and cultural ties between India and Europe.