Flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Etihad Airways, has reached an agreement with Madrid-based Air Europa.
The Spanish airline is launching a three times weekly flight between Madrid and Abu Dhabi in late 2014, operated by an A330 and carrying Etihad's EY code.
As soon as regulatory approval has been granted the UAE carrier will also place its code on Air Euopa-operated flights to Madrid from Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan Malpensa, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. In return, Air Europa will place its UX code on Etihad flights from Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan Malpensa to Abu Dhabi.
During the summer the codeshare will expand to include other cities in Spain and South America via Madrid, and more cities beyond Abu Dhabi across the Gulf region, Africa, Asia and Australia.
“We have been keen to offer our customers direct access to the Spanish capital for a number of years, and doing this now in partnership with Air Europa makes perfect business sense," said Etihad’s president and chief executive James Hogan.
"The new route will support the growing trade volumes between the UAE and Spain, up 75 per cent over the last three years, and introduce more Spanish business and leisure travellers to the world class city that is Abu Dhabi."
Hogan's counterpart at Air Europa, Juan José Hidalgo, said: “We have chosen Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways as the gateway to India, China, Australia and other destinations served in the Far East."
“As one of the most important operators to the American continent, especially Central and South America via our hub in Madrid, for Air Europa the agreement between the two airlines is a step forward in a global market. Both airlines will provide an excellent link between America and Asia via Madrid and Abu Dhabi.”
Air Europa is one of a number of Skyteam members to form partnerships with Etihad, which does not belong to any alliance. The gulf carrier has already formed codeshare agreements with Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, Air France, Kenya Airlines, Czech Airlines, MEA, KLM and Alitalia – all of which belong to SkyTeam. It also codeshares with American Airlines and Air Canada, has a 10 per cent stake in Virgin Australia and recently bought a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways (see here).
For more information, visit www.etihad.com
Alex Andersson
