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Etihad and Air Canada sign codeshare agreement

25 Apr 2013 by GrahamSmith

Etihad Airways and Air Canada have signed a codeshare agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Canada.

Starting later this year, the two carriers intend to offer customers through-checked bags, frequent flyer benefits and reciprocal codeshare services.

The agreement will allow frequent flyer mileage accrual on codeshare flights by members of Etihad Guest and Aeroplan programmes, and reciprocal premium lounge access at Toronto and Abu Dhabi airports for eligible passengers of both airlines.

The announcement follows the recent decision by the UAE and Canadian governments to restore the previous visa regime which means Canadian nationals can once again obtain a free visa on arrival in the UAE.

And it comes a day after Etihad closed a deal to take a 24 per cent share in India's Jet Airways, improving air links between the Gulf and India (see online news, April 25).

Etihad CEO James Hogan said: “This is without doubt a significant development in the relationship between Etihad Airways and Air Canada and very much supports the aim to simplify travel between the United Arab Emirates and Canada.

“The benefits contained within the agreement give Etihad Airways and Air Canada passengers far greater choice, flexibility and convenience and will greatly enhance business and leisure travel between the UAE and Canada and feed passengers onto each other’s flight networks.”

The UAE is Canada’s largest merchandise export market in the Middle East and more than 40,000 Canadians reside in the UAE.

Air Canada president Calin Rovinescu added: “We look forward to introducing Air Canada codeshare service on Etihad Airways’ flights to Abu Dhabi, via Toronto and London Heathrow, and welcoming their customers on Air Canada in the near future.”

Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad Airways will place its EY code on Air Canada flights between Toronto and select North American points.

In return, Air Canada will place its AC code on Etihad Airways’ non-stop services between Toronto and Abu Dhabi, as well as Etihad Airways’ flights between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways and Air Canada will also work together to enhance cargo services into and out of Abu Dhabi and Toronto, and beyond on each other’s networks.

For more information, visit etihad.com, aircanada.com.

Report by Graham Smith

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