Air India has unveiled its collaboration with AccesRail, an IATA travel partner, to bolster travel connectivity options for its passengers across European cities without airports. The strategic intermodal interline agreement facilitates a seamless experience for Air India customers, allowing them to embark on a unified journey using a single ticket. This novel partnership provides access to bus and train services connecting around 100 cities and towns across Austria, Belgium, Germany, and various other locations via key European gateways including Amsterdam, Birmingham, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Milan, and Vienna.
AccesRail’s expansive network, comprising rail and bus operators, has been incorporated into this agreement, offering an array of travel options. This includes Avanti West Coast (UK), Great Western Railways (UK), London North Eastern Railways (UK), National Express (UK), Trenitalia (Italy), ÖBB Austrian Railways (Austria), SNCB Belgian Railways, and Thalys (Netherlands/Belgium).
Air India envisions extending the convenience of intermodal tickets to its own sales channels in the near future, building upon the already existing availability with global travel agents.
This innovative collaboration ensures travellers enjoy the same baggage allowance for rail and bus operator services as they would on Air India flights. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer at Air India, emphasised that this venture not only augments connectivity across Europe but also addresses environmental sustainability as a core commitment.
Andrew Popescu, Vice President Business Development at AccesRail, expressed enthusiasm about the Air India-AccesRail partnership, highlighting its potential to offer seamless travel experiences and broaden destination choices for customers. This collaboration aligns with Air India’s mission to expand its global network and provide enhanced travel solutions to its passengers.