Indian budget carrier, SpiceJet and the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore greater cooperation between the two airlines. This includes interline and codeshare agreement, coordinated cargo services, engineering services, and pilot training, read the statement released by the Indian airline. The MoU was signed on November 20 by Ajay Singh, Chairman, and Managing Director, SpiceJet and KrešimirKučko, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air.

The scope of the MoU also consists of exploring growth opportunities beyond network expansion for both airlines by leveraging each other's strengths. The press statement also stated, "SpiceJet and Gulf Air will look at collaborating in the field of pilot training to nurture talent in order to deliver the finest resources for both the airlines. The airlines will also engage and collaborate to enhance their respective cargo and engineering services."

The aim through the signing of this MoU between the two carriers is also to initiate collaboration between the two carriers, and further, strengthen the strong ties between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The scope of the MoU also consists of exploring growth opportunities beyond network expansion for both airlines by leveraging each other's strengths.

Ajay Singh, Chairman, and Managing Director, SpiceJet said, "I am extremely happy at the signing of this MoU and the beginning of this new partnership between SpiceJet and Gulf Air. This partnership will immensely benefit the two airlines and our passengers in times to come. These are exciting times for SpiceJet as we pursue our international expansion plan. We are developing an extensive portfolio of destinations both at home and in international markets. The Middle East has always been among our top priority markets. This agreement is going to play a very important role in SpiceJet's next phase of growth as we continue to explore the innumerable opportunities around us."

While addressing the press conference, Singh also added that SpiceJet will start an airline in Ras Al Khaima soon. The new airline will be set up with a local partner.

"This is a historic event for both Gulf Air and SpiceJet as we strengthen commercial ties between the two carriers; creating more choices for our valued passengers to explore new cities across our networks. We have a longstanding relationship with the Republic of India and we feel proud to work closely with our new friends at SpiceJet," said KrešimirKučko Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air.

SpiceJet operates 630 average daily flights to 64 destinations, including 54 domestic and 10 international ones. The airline has a fleet of 82 Boeing 737, 32 Bombardier Q-400s and four B737 freighters.

"This partnership will immensely benefit the two airlines and our passengers in times to come. These are exciting times for SpiceJet as we pursue our international expansion plan. We are developing an extensive portfolio of destinations both at home and in international markets. The Middle East has always been among our top priority markets. This agreement is going to play a very important role in SpiceJet's next phase of growth as we continue to explore the innumerable opportunities around us," said Ajay Singh, Chairman, and Managing Director, SpiceJet.

While Gulf Air is one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East and a major international carrier serving 48 cities in 27 countries. The airline operates double daily flights or more to 10 regional cities, in addition to select destinations in the Indian Subcontinent and Europe, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport.

A codeshare agreement refers to a business arrangement common in the aviation industry in which two or more airlines market and operate a flight as part of their published schedule.

While interline, also known as interline ticketing and interline booking is a commercial agreement between airlines to handle passengers traveling on multiple flights on multiple airlines. This allows the passengers to change flights of one airline to another on another airline conveniently without even having to gather their bags or check-in again.

Earlier this month Interglobe Aviation, operator of IndiGo, had also announced a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways.