China Eastern Airlines and Etihad Airways have signed a codeshare agreement.
The deal, which follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed by the two airlines earlier this year, will initially see China Eastern codeshare on Etihad’s direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. In future it is expected to be expanded to allow Etihad to place its code on several of China Eastern’s domestic routes from Shanghai, and China Eastern to sell a number of Etihad’s routes from Abu Dhabi.
“The codeshare with China Eastern Airlines is a win-win for both businesses and for travellers across our combined global networks,” said Etihad’s President & CEO, James Hogan. “It expands our networks in a commercially viable and mutually beneficial way, and offers our customers more choice of destinations, schedules and loyalty benefits.”
Liu Shaoyong, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, added; “China Eastern is very pleased to cooperate with Etihad Airways and values the partnership. Signing the codeshare agreement has great significance for increased cooperation in a range of areas which will be for the benefit of our shared customers.”
The two airlines also plan to offer reciprocal frequent flier benefits.
The new codeshare services between Abu Dhabi and China go on sale on 30 August 2012 for travel from 3 September onwards.
