Etihad will increase its flights to Air Europa’s hub in Madrid to twice daily from summer, improving access between Abu Dhabi and Spain
In a significant move to expand global connectivity, Etihad Airways and Air Europa are strengthening their commercial and operational partnership, exploring deeper codeshare ties, frequent flyer benefits, and a wet lease operation.
In a press statement, Etihad Airways says that the collaboration aims to enhance travel options between Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.
It adds that Etihad will increase its flights to Air Europa’s hub in Madrid to twice daily from summer, improving access between Abu Dhabi and Spain.
Etihad Airways says that the partnership discussions include deepening codeshare agreements, expanding frequent flyer benefits, and a potential wet lease operation with an Air Europa aircraft on the Madrid-Abu Dhabi route.
Arik De
It adds that currently the two airlines have a bilateral codeshare agreement and allow frequent flyer members to earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights.
The statement adds that the enhanced collaboration would further establish Air Europa’s presence in the Middle East and Asia, while Etihad would gain a stronger foothold in European and Latin American markets.
Richard Clark
“We are in discussions to establish a strategic partnership covering a range of activities, including deepening our codeshare and frequent flyer programme, enabling both airlines to expand into new frontiers, and a potential wet lease operation with an Air Europa aircraft between Madrid and Abu Dhabi. Any partnership will work towards benefiting customers of both airlines, underscoring our commitment to providing our valued customers with a seamless travel experience and access to a wider network, including Air Europa’s leading Latin America Network,” says Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways.
“We are very pleased to expand our partnership with Etihad Airways into a scenario that will be even more rewarding for our customers. By initiating our operations between Madrid-Barajas and Abu Dhabi, it will further extend our reach to the Middle East and Asia, opening up more possibilities to connect both regions to the Americas via Europe, while offering the highest standards of quality,” says Richard Clark, General Manager, Air Europa.
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