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Etihad Announces Tie-up with Qantas

DUBAI — Etihad Airways has announced details of a new code-share agreement with Qantas, in a deal which signals the start of closer commercial co-operation between the two airlines.

The deal will see the Abu Dhabi-based airline place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on selected Qantas domestic services which operate beyond Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — the three gateway airports currently served by Etihad. In addition, Etihad will place its code on daily Qantas flights from Melbourne to Auckland in New Zealand.

The initial code-share agreement comes into effect on March 29, 2009, and is likely to be extended to other routes in the future.

“Australia represents a key market for Etihad and the one in which we are keen to grow further, both through the addition of new routes of our own, such as Melbourne, and through close co-operation with other well-established airlines such as Qantas,” James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said.

“Qantas is one of the most respected airlines in the world, and we see this code-share agreement as the start of a deepening strategic relationship which both airlines are committed to developing further in the future.”

The Qantas routes within Australia covered by the new code-share arrangement will initially include services between Sydney and Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns and Melbourne and Adelaide. In turn, Qantas will place its own ‘QF’ code on all services operated by Etihad between Australia and Abu Dhabi and a selection of Etihad services connecting the UAE capital to the Middle Eastern destinations of Amman, Bahrain and Beirut.

“The new code-share agreement with Etihad Airways is a significant strategic development for Qantas,” John Borghetti, executive general manager, Qantas, said. “The United Arab Emirates and the broader Middle East are important markets for Australia in terms of both business links and tourism. For the first time, Qantas will be able to offer direct access to multiple points in the Middle East from Sydney, Melbourne and from Brisbane.” Etihad currently flies to two destinations in Australia: Sydney, Brisbane. The airline will start flights to Melbourne from March 29.

business@khaleejtimes.com