Air India flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda will operate on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft
In a significant move to enhance connectivity, Air India is shifting its non-stop Delhi-Tokyo flights from Narita to Haneda Airport starting March 31. The transition aims to provide passengers with faster and more cost-effective access to central Tokyo.
In a press statement, Air India says that the airline will operate four weekly flights on this route, aiming to provide faster and more cost-effective access to central Tokyo.
It adds that in addition to the airport shift, Air India is expanding its codeshare agreement with its Star Alliance partner, All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Air India says that the subject to regulatory approvals, starting April 1, it will place its ‘AI’ designator code on ANA flights from Tokyo Haneda to six Japanese cities: Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka and Sapporo.
It adds that this will allow passengers to book a single ticket for their journey, with baggage checked through to the final destination.
The statement adds that the ANA will place its ‘NH’ designator code on Air India flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, as well as on domestic routes within India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune.
It adds that this will provide ANA passengers seamless access to Air India’s domestic network.
Air India says that it first signed a codeshare agreement with ANA in April 2024, covering Air India’s Tokyo flights and ANA’s routes between Tokyo and India. The new agreement strengthens their collaboration, offering improved connectivity for travellers between the two countries.
According to Japan National Tourism Organisation, 233,000 Indian tourists visited Japan in 2024, marking a 40 pc increase from the previous year. The increased demand has contributed to the airlines’ decision to expand their partnership.
The statement adds that the new Air India flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda will operate on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 18 Business Class and 238 Economy Class seats.
Nipun Aggarwal
“Moving our flights to Haneda Airport is a significant advantage for our guests, it brings them much closer to the centre of Tokyo. With this shift, we are not only connecting two vibrant capitals more effectively but also helping boost trade and tourism between India and Japan,” says Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India.
“To promote increased exchange between Japan and India, ANA is expanding its codeshare partnership with Star Alliance partner Air India to enhance its network. This expansion, with a focus on the increased codeshare options from Delhi to six destinations within India, will provide customers with more opportunities and seamless connections, delivering a satisfying experience for premium customers in particular. This is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to provide a superior travel experience for customers flying between Japan and India,” says Katsuya Goto, Vice President of Alliances and International Affairs.
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