Etihad and SAS have signed a codeshare agreement covering services to Abu Dhabi and a number of European routes.
The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will see SAS place its SK code on Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Brussels, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Geneva and London Heathrow.
Etihad will place its EY code on SAS-operated flights from these European destinations, excluding Brussels, onto SAS' hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm.
The EY code will also be placed on flights beyond Copenhagen to Billund and Alesund; beyond Oslo to Alesund, Kristiansand, Trondheim, and Stavanger; and beyond Stockholm to Umea, Sundsvall, and Ostersund.
The airlines said they are also developing a Frequent Flyer agreement to benefit members of Etihad Guest and SAS' EuroBonus loyalty programmes.
Kevin Knight, Etihad's chief strategy officer, said: "This codeshare agreement with SAS will improve flight connections to Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen, as well as a number of important secondary cities across Scandinavia, greatly enhancing travel options and connections for air travellers and deepening our ties with Europe and European carriers.
"Partnerships like this one with SAS are central to Etihad Airways’ strategy and we look forward to placing the SK code on our flights to and from Abu Dhabi, and welcoming their passengers aboard our aircraft."
Eivind Roald, SAS’ executive vice president & CCO, said: "From seven of SAS' main European airports we can offer a high quality product with Etihad Airways to and from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates."
Last week, Etihad unveiled a codeshare expansion with Alitalia (see news, November 20).
Graham Smith
