Abu Dhabi: UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways and Egyptair announced a strengthened partnership on Tuesday, signing a pact to enhance commercial and operational ties for better travel options, higher-quality services, and increased value. According to a statement from Etihad Airways, the deal is subject to regulatory approvals.
Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO, said, “This agreement will help further deepen our codeshare with Egyptair, opening up seamless travel for guests of both airlines across our networks.”
Neves said, “It also lays the tracks for cooperation across both our frequent flyer programs and will enable us to explore collaboration on joint marketing campaigns and promotions designed to stimulate and reward our customers.”
The existing codeshare agreement gives passengers of both airlines enhanced connectivity to destinations across each other’s networks, between Egypt and the UAE, beyond Cairo into Africa, and Abu Dhabi into Asia.
The airline said the agreement enables guests to book their entire journey on a single ticket and have their baggage checked through seamlessly to their end destination.
This MoU will extend codeshares between the two airlines, giving Egyptair passengers one-stop access to more of Etihad’s network in addition to several existing destinations in Asia and Australia. “Equally, it gives Etihad customers seamless access to further destinations on the Egyptair network, on top of the routes already in scope,” the airlines explained.
Meanwhile, Yehia Zakaria, Chairman and CEO at Egyptair, said, “This MoU strengthens our strategic partnership with Etihad Airways and underscores our commitment to providing our valued customers with a seamless travel experience and access to a wider network.
“I am confident that this partnership with Etihad Airways will benefit our passengers and foster a stronger relationship between Egypt and UAE. We look forward to a successful collaboration, soaring to new heights together,” said Zakaria.
Late last week, the UAE’s national carrier announced a partnership with China Eastern Airlines to expand travel routes between the UAE and Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Kunming. The Joint Venture signed at the airline’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi is the first of its kind between a Middle Eastern carrier and a Chinese airline.
The airline stated that Etihad and China Eastern Airlines plan to implement a joint venture cooperation in early 2025 when both teams secure all necessary regulatory clearances.
Additionally, both airlines will introduce full reciprocity to their existing frequent flyer programmes in the final quarter of 2024, allowing passengers to earn points and redeem rewards when flying with either airline.
Meanwhile, Egyptair also signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s startup airline Riyadh Air also signed an MoU to enhance air connectivity. Under this cooperation, the two airlines will offer a range of exclusive benefits for travellers between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as from Egypt to other major destinations.
