23 May 2008

Etihad signs Malaysia Airlines partnership

Closer ties between Etihad Airways and Malaysia Airlines are planned.

The two airlines plan to add destinations to their international networks and offer frequent flyer benefits offered to their respective passengers.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed to pave the way for closer co-operation on joint initiatives which are likely to include a future code-share agreement as well as collaboration on frequent flyer programmes, ground handling, customer support, cargo and airport lounge access.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad currently runs six weekly Boeing 777 flights to the Malaysian capital.

Kuala Lumpur is one of seven destinations served by Etihad in the Asia-Pacific region. The airline also flies to Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, Brisbane and Sydney.

Etihad chief executive James Hogan said: "Asia is one of our strongest markets and there is huge appetite amongst our customers to travel beyond the Malaysian capital.

"This partnership will hopefully give us an ideal opportunity to expand the number of Asian destinations we offer our customers and we anticipate that it will result in increased traffic and more revenue opportunities for both our airlines."

Etihad has eight other codeshare agreements with Yemen Airways, Saudi Arabia Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Philippine Airlines, Middle East Airlines and bmi.

by Phil Davies