Lufthansa has set a growth target of 20 percent for the Indian market over the next four years, according to Thierry Antinori, Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, Lufthansa, India.

In an interview with Sify Finance, Antiori said that while the U.S. and Europe together accounted for 70 percent of global air traffic as on date, the German carrier was looking at India and China as potential growth markets in the coming days.

The strategic alliance between Lufthansa and Air India, which came into effect on Oct. 1, would cover marketing and sales besides a joint effort by the two airlines to improve airport services, he said. As per the understanding, customers will be able to redeem points on the frequent flyer programs of both airlines – Miles & More on Lufthansa and Flying Returns on Air India.

The two airlines may also open their lounges to each other’s passengers at airports.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two airlines will codeshare on all flights between the two countries. The two airlines have also agreed that the AI code could be booked on Lufthansa connecting flights to certain destinations in Europe and the US.