Etihad Airways επεκτεΙνουν τη συνεργασΙα τους με διευρυμενες επιλογες δρομολ ογΙων, στοχεΙοντας στην ενΙσχυσ&eta ; του τουρισμού των ΗνωμΕνων Αρα βικων Εμιρατων” />
Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of expanding the cooperation of the two airlines and providing additional routes to passengers visiting the United Arab Emirates.
This agreement between the two UAE carriers aims to boost tourism in the UAE and allows guests to visit more than one destination on a single ticket.
This summer, passengers of the two airlines will be able to fly on a single ticket to either Dubai or Abu Dhabi and benefit from seamless return options via the two airports. In addition, through the new agreement passengers planning to explore the UAE can book connecting flights for their entire journey and easy baggage check-in.
The agreement initially sees both airlines focus on attracting visitors to the UAE by boosting inbound traffic from select destinations in Europe and China. In addition, guests can take advantage and explore more of Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other UAE city by saving time as there is no need to fly to their original destination via the arrival airport. Passengers traveling to the UAE will also have the option of flying on “multi-city” tickets and traveling from one city to destinations on both airlines' networks and returning to either destination served by either Emirates or Etihad.
The MoU was signed at the Arabian Travel Market International Tourism Exhibition by Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, and Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Airways, in the presence of Sir Tim Clark, Chairman of Emirates Airline, and Antonoaldo Neves , Chief Executive Officer of Etihad, as well as other senior representatives.
Sir Tim Clark, Chairman of Emirates Airline, said: “We are delighted to be working again with Etihad Airways. The aim of this partnership is for both airlines to be able to offer new, seamless options for travel within and outside the UAE. Both at Emirates and at Etihad we are leveraging all the means at our disposal to provide even more choice to our passengers and boost UAE tourism. We believe that this agreement lays a solid foundation for further cooperation between the two airlines and demonstrates our practical commitment to the UAE's vision for continued economic diversification”.
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO A consultant for Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted to be working with Emirates on a shared mission, supporting inbound tourism to the UAE and facilitating travel in our cities. With the two world-class airlines supporting UAE tourism, and through this agreement, our passengers will have the opportunity to live a travel experience flying to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on a single ticket. We are committed to providing exceptional in-flight experiences for all passengers, whether they are traveling with Etihad Airways or Emirates. This is a win-win proposition for all passengers traveling to the UAE”.
The expanded connectivity is based on the two airlines' commitment to support the UAE government's goal of boosting tourism, as well as the UAE's position as a preferred global destination. Tourism is one of the main pillars of the UAE economy and is expected to contribute 5.4% of the state's total GDP, or AED 116.1 billion ($31.6 billion), creating over 1 million jobs by in 2027. *
It is worth noting that this is the second time that the airlines have announced a partnership. In 2018, Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance aviation security, including information sharing in operational areas within and outside the UAE. Last year, Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism to boost tourist numbers in the UAE capital from major markets across the airline's global network.
Passengers can in ticket reservations through the websites emirates.com and https://www.etihad.com/el-gr/, as well as through travel agents.
*According with data from the Emirates Tourism Council
