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Alitalia, Etihad Sign 
Code-share Accord

DUBAI — Alitalia, an Italian airline, and Etihad Airways on Saturday exchanged a memorandum of understanding to provide easier access to their customers from April next year.

The signing of code-share agreement, subject to government approvals, will mean Etihad customers around the world will be able to fly to two new Italian destinations, Rome and Naples, while Alitalia customers will be able to fly directly from Italy to Abu Dhabi, and will have greater and easier access to the airline’s expanding network of more than 55 destinations.

“This proposed codeshare agreement means we can offer our customers access to two of Italy’s most popular destinations, as well as give European travellers greater and much easier access to Etihad’s own expanding international network,” James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said. Etihad currently operates five direct services to Milan (Malpensa) per week.

Under the proposed deal, Etihad will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on a number of services operated by Alitalia from Milan to Rome and Naples, and between selected European destinations and Rome, including Frankfurt, Geneva and Munich. In turn, Alitalia will place its ‘AZ’ code on Etihad’s flights between Milan and the airline’s Abu Dhabi home base, and onto Bahrain, Muscat, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Sydney and Melbourne.

“The ties between the UAE and Italy have never been stronger, and it is our objective to play a key role in the development of travel and tourism between the two regions,” Hogan said.

Rocco Sabelli, Alitalia’s chief executive said: “It is a further step in our strategy of connecting Italy to the most important destinations around the world, building on our strength in the Italian market. This agreement meets Alitalia’s plans for services to destinations in a very dynamic area, and it complements our strategy towards the Milan and northern Italy market.”

Etihad and Alitalia also intend to implement a reciprocal agreement to link their frequent flyer programmes. Under the proposed plan, members of both the award-winning programmes will be able to earn and redeem miles when travelling on all Etihad and 
Alitalia flights.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com