1 week ago
Air India-Drukair Tie-Up Simplifies Travel Between India and Bhutan
Air India and Drukair have agreed to work together.
Travelers can book flights from both airlines using one itinerary.
Their bags can be transferred to their final destination.
Air India passengers can fly to Paro in Bhutan through Delhi.
From Paro, they can continue to places such as Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula.
Drukair passengers can use Air India to travel to cities across India.
They can also connect to many international destinations.
The airlines say the deal will make travel between India, Bhutan, and other places easier.
Air India and Bhutan’s Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines have formed an interline partnership.
Travelers can book flights on both airlines through one itinerary with coordinated baggage transfer.
Air India passengers can reach Paro via Delhi and connect onward to Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula.
Drukair passengers gain access to Air India’s Indian network through Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata.
The agreement expands connections to destinations including London, New York, Paris, Sydney, Toronto, and Vancouver.
- Who
- Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines.
- What
- The airlines formed an interline partnership offering shared itineraries, coordinated baggage transfers, and connections across their networks.
- Where
- The arrangement links India and Bhutan through Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, and other destinations in the airlines’ networks.
- When
- The partnership was announced on August 26, 2026.
- Why
- The airlines said it will improve connectivity, simplify travel, and support tourism and business travel between Bhutan, India, and international markets.
Key facts
- Partnership type
- Interline partnership between Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines
- Ticketing
- Passengers can book flights operated by both airlines under one itinerary
- Baggage
- Coordinated baggage and passenger transfer to the final destination
- Bhutan access
- Air India passengers can reach Paro through Delhi and connect to Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula
- Indian gateways
- Drukair passengers can connect through Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata
- Indian destinations
- The arrangement provides access to cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi
- International destinations
- Connections include Paris Charles de Gaulle, Colombo, Newark, Frankfurt, New York JFK, London Heathrow, Melbourne, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto Pearson, and Vancouver
Quotes
Nipun Aggarwal
Chief Commercial Officer of Air India
“Our partnership with Drukair reinforces our commitment to strengthening connectivity across the SAARC region, which we consider our extended home market. 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.”
telegraphindia.com
NDTV
businesstoday.in
Tandi Wangchuk
Chief Executive Officer of Drukair
“This partnership marks a significant milestone for Drukair as we continue to strengthen our global connectivity and enhance the travel experience for our passengers. Through this interline partnership with Air India, our customers will benefit from seamless journeys, expanded access to key international markets, and improved connectivity across India and beyond.”
telegraphindia.com
NDTV
businesstoday.in
Sources
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